Where do I start with this recipe? Oh man, you know those recipes you’ve wanted to make/share for a long time? This is one of them. While my parents aren’t Cuban, I grew up eating at Cuban restaurants. It’s like a staple in South Florida. Everybody eats at them. They’re always a great place to go with a large group of people; the food is affordable, comforting and just plain delicious. I always, always order ropa vieja (direct translation: old man’s clothes). It’s shredded beef in a flavorful tomato-based sauce. I’ve always wanted to make it and for some reason never have. This recipe is in partnership with McCormick Gourmet. This recipe uses all sorts of spices, including the good ol’ dried Turkish Bay Leaves. Turkish bay leaves are different than the California variety. To me they’re milder in flavor, less menthol-y (if that makes sense) and have a more pleasant aroma. Turkish bay leaves are also dried quickly which helps with retaining its flavor. The scent and aroma from bay leaves remind me of Sundays when I was a kid. Sundays were always dedicated to lots and lots of cooking and slow cooking, things that need a good amount …

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