Picadillo is a traditional dish in many Latin American countries. It is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, but it typically includes ground beef, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Picadillo is often served with rice and beans, but it can also be used as a filling for empanadas, tacos, and other dishes. In this article, we will provide a detailed recipe for making picadillo, along with information about its nutrition and variations.
Ingredients
To make picadillo, you will need the following ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup sliced green olives
Instructions
To make picadillo, follow these steps:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, stirring frequently to break up any clumps.
Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Add the onion, garlic, and bell peppers to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the diced tomatoes and their juice, as well as the cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Return the ground beef to the skillet and stir to combine it with the tomato mixture.
Reduce the heat to low and let the picadillo simmer for about 10 minutes.
Add the raisins and olives to the skillet.
Stir well and let the picadillo simmer for another 5 minutes.
Remove the skillet from the heat and let the picadillo cool slightly.
Serve the picadillo over rice, with black beans on the side.
Nutrition
Picadillo is a relatively healthy dish, as long as you choose lean ground beef and watch your portion sizes. One serving of picadillo (about 1 cup) contains approximately:
Calories: 310
Protein: 24 grams
Carbohydrates: 28 grams
Fiber: 4 grams
Sugar: 16 grams
Fat: 11 grams
Saturated fat: 3.5 grams
Cholesterol: 70 milligrams
Sodium: 960 milligrams
Calcium: 50 milligrams
Iron: 4 milligrams
Variations
Picadillo is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Here are a few variations to try:
Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter dish.
Add diced potatoes or carrots to the skillet along with the bell peppers for extra vegetables.
Substitute the raisins and olives with other dried fruit and nuts, such as apricots and almonds.
Top the picadillo with shredded cheese or sour cream for a richer flavor.
Use the picadillo as a filling for empanadas, tacos, or burritos.
Conclusion
Picadillo is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and can be customized to your liking. Whether you serve it over rice or use it as a filling for other dishes, picadillo is sure to become a family favorite.