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Posta Negra Cartagenera

Serves 4 to 6 Entree meat

Posta Negra Cartagenera

Posta Negra Cartagenera is a beloved dish from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where home cooks prepare it with a generous hand and a spirit of sharing. The beef round is simmered with Coca-Cola, onions, and tomatoes, creating a rich, savory blend that captures the essence of coastal Colombian flavors.

The dish is seasoned with cumin and hogao, a traditional Colombian sauce, adding depth and warmth. It's a family favorite, known for its tender meat and the subtle sweetness from the cola, balanced by the savory notes of the onions and tomatoes. This is how Colombian families enjoy it at home, with salt and pepper adjusted to personal taste.

Ingredients

  • 800 gbeef round — whole piece
  • 1 cupCoca-Cola
  • 1onion
  • 2tomatoes
  • 2 tbspvegetable oil
  • 1 tspcumin
  • 1/2 cuphogao
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by seasoning the 800 g beef round generously with fine sea salt and 1 tsp cumin. Make sure to rub the spices evenly over the entire surface of the meat, ensuring every part is coated. This step enhances the flavor and prepares the beef for browning.
  2. Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the seasoned beef into the pot. Brown the meat on all sides, turning it with tongs to ensure an even, deep brown crust forms. This caramelization is crucial for developing the rich flavor characteristic of Posta Negra Cartagenera.
  3. While the meat is browning, finely chop 1 onion and 2 tomatoes. Once the beef is well-browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and tomatoes, stirring occasionally until the onion becomes translucent and the tomatoes start to break down, releasing their juices.
  4. Return the browned beef to the pot, nestling it among the softened vegetables. Pour in 1 cup of Coca-Cola, which will add sweetness and depth to the sauce. Add 1/2 cup of hogao, stirring to combine with the other ingredients. The liquid should come about halfway up the sides of the beef.
  5. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Allow the beef to braise slowly, turning it occasionally, until it becomes tender. You'll know it's done when a fork can easily pierce through the meat and the sauce has thickened, taking on a dark, rich color.
  6. Once the beef is tender, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. The flavors should be balanced, with a hint of sweetness from the Coca-Cola and a savory depth from the spices.
  7. Slice the beef against the grain into thick pieces and serve it with the sauce over rice, alongside fresh bread, or with a crisp salad. The dish is ready to be enjoyed, embodying the warm, communal spirit of a Colombian home kitchen.
Cover of Authentic Colombian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Colombian Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Colombian Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Colombian volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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