Oye, mi gente! Turn on some Celia Cruz, Ibeyi, or Buena Vista Social Club and get busy in the kitchen making this Cuban Picadillo! So comforting, Picadillo is a traditional Cuban dish and is great for a weeknight or a weekend. Savory and a bit sweet, this can easily be substituted with ground turkey. Serve with rice, plantain, black beans, or avocado. Recipe adapted from Laylita.
INGREDIENTS
1 LB. ground beef, (can substitute with ground turkey)
2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1 medium red onion
6 garlic cloves minced
1/2 bell pepper diced
1 TBS ground cumin
1/2 cup whole green olives, stuffed with pimentos
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup capers, drained
1-2 TBS tomato paste
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
salt and pepper to taste
PREPARATION
In a skillet, pour olive oil and add garlic, bell pepper, and red onion. Cook on medium high heat until almost translucent.
Add ground beef, cumin, and a touch of pepper. Brown the beef. Season with a touch of salt but carefully. You will add the olives and capers later which are already salty on their own.
Add tomato paste and can of diced tomatoes drained. Cook down and let liquid reduce, about five minutes. Add raisins.
Cook five minutes more, adding capers and olives. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, and cumin as needed.