Carne guisada (beef stewed)

INGREDIENTS:

- 2 lbs. beef round cut into 1-2 inch cubes
- 1 onion / grated
- 1 green bell pepper / chopped
- 2 garlic cloves / crushed
- 1 tbs. fresh oregano leaves / chopped fine
- 1 tbs. fresh cilantro leaves / chopped fine
- 1 tbs. fresh parsley leaves / chopped fine
- 1 carrot / peeled and sliced
- 1 rib celery / sliced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbs. tomato paste
- 1 beef bouillon cubes
- 2 tbs. vegetable oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- about 1 cup of water

PREPARATION:

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- dissolve the beef bouillon cube (Maggi) in about 3 tbs of hot water
- dissolve the tomato paste in about 1/2 cup of hot water
- marinate the beef cubes for at least 3 hours in the following:
.....garlic, grated onion, oregano, cilantro, parsley, dissolved beef cube and tomato paste.
- remove beef pieces, save marinade for later use
- heat oil to high temperature (around 425 degrees F) and brown beef cubes on all sides
- reduce oil temperature to medium and add the carrot, celery, bay leaf and green bell pepper and cook for about 3 minutes.
- add the reserved marinade.
- cover and simmer for 20 minutes..stir frequently
- Add the rest of the water and taste for salt and pepper and adjust if needed.
- Continue to simmer for 30 minutes longer. (beef cubes should be very tender)
- serve it hot with white rice

Mangu (Mashed plaintain)

Mangu is basically the Dominican mashed potatoes.

Ingredients
* 4 Unripe Plantains
* 4 Tablespoons of butter( salted or unsalted)
* 2 tablespoons of oil
* 2 large Red onions Sliced
* 1 Tablespoon of vinegar
* 1 quart of cold water
* Salt


Directions

1. Peel the plantains and cut into 8 pieces
2. Place the plantains,water and the salt in a pan.Bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes, until plantains are tender then lower heat(leave plantains in pot we will need the water it was boiled in)
3. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a frying pan, sautee the onions until translucent, add some salt and the vinegar.
4. Take the Plantains out of the water(1 pce out a time) and mash them with a fork. add the butter and some of the reserved boiled water and keep mashing. Take some more plantains and repeat this process until it is very smooth.
5. Serve with onions.

Mangu is usually served with Salami or Eggs as a Dominican Breakfast.