Venezuelanpepitosandwichpepitovenezolano Recipes

PEPITO

Steps:

• In a bowl, season the beef strips with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil (or other fat) in a heavy-bottomed pan and fry the beef over high heat until just browned.
• Add the garlic, roja and / or Worcestershire sauce and cook 2 to 3 minutes more, or until desired doneness.
• Remove from the heat and, optionally, adjust the seasoning.
• While the meat is cooking, reheat the bread rolls and split them in half lengthwise.
• First, garnish the 4 buns with the vegetables. Divide the beef among the 4 rolls, placing it on the vegetables.
• Garnish with grated fried potato (optional).
• Drizzle with guasacaca sauce and any other sauce, and garnish with grated cheese.
• Serve immediately.

PASTICHO (VENEZUELAN LASAGNA)

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, pork, onion, celery and carrot in oil over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato puree, bay leaf and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, saute mushrooms in butter and oil until tender. Add the cream, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Stir in Parmesan cheese; cook and stir for 20-25 minutes or until thickened., Discard bay leaf from meat sauce. Spread 1-1/4 cups meat sauce into a greased 4-qt. baking dish. Top with six noodles. Layer with 1-3/4 cups meat sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, six noodles, 1-1/4 cups mushroom sauce, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers three times. Top with remaining noodles, meat sauce, mushroom sauce, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese (dish will be full)., Cover and bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until golden brown and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

VENEZUELAN TAMALES

Steps:

• Add broth gradually to cornmeal in large bowl, stirring constantly until mixture forms soft dough. Knead in oil until well blended. (Dough will be light yellow-orange in color.) Cover with clean, damp kitchen towel; set aside.
• Cook tomatoes, dressing and capers in medium saucepan on medium heat 5 min., stirring frequently. Add chicken and pork; cook 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• Spoon 1/4 cup dough onto center of 1 banana leaf; spread into 5x3-inch rectangle. Top with 1/3 cup meat mixture, 1 onion slice, 1/2 tsp. nuts, 1 Tbsp. bacon, 2 olives and 1 pepper strip; set aside. Spoon 1/4 cup of the remaining dough onto center of second banana leaf; spread into 6x4-inch rectangle. Carefully place second banana leaf, dough-side down, over filling on first banana leaf; press together gently. Fold over lengthwise sides of leaves, then fold over both remaining sides to completely enclose filling. Tie closed with kitchen twine. Repeat to make 12 tamales.
• Pour 2 cups water into 8-qt. stockpot fitted with steamer basket. (Or, use a tamalera pot.) Line bottom of basket with remaining banana leaves; top with tamales. Cover with lid. Bring water to boil on medium-high heat. Steam on medium-low heat 1 hour or until tamales pull away from banana leaves, adding more boiling water to pan when necessary. Remove from steamer; cool slightly.

VENEZUELAN PEPITO SANDWICH - PEPITO VENEZOLANO

Steps:

• Cut the beef into 1 inch pieces and seasoned with salt and pepper.
• Heat a heavy skillet with 1-2 tablespoons of oil, and sauté the beef over high heat until just browned. Add the garlic, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes more, or until desired doneness. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Split sandwich rolls lengthwise. Place shredded lettuce and tomato in rolls. Divide beef among the four rolls, placing it on top of the lettuce. Drizzle with guasacaca and any other desired sauce, and top with potato sticks.