Picadillo, Cuban Beef! Recipes From Around The World

This week, we are traveling to Cuba to enjoy a delicious traditional family dish – Picadillo! This recipe is a quintessential family favorite consisting of flavorful beef chopped up into small pieces.

Some fun facts about Cuba – it is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea. From the air, the island resembles a crocodile or alligator and so Cuba is often called El Cocodrillo or El Caimá. Now, on to the recipe… 

Picadillo – Cuban Beef 

Did you know that Picadillo essentially means chopped bits?

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion – finely chopped
• 1 medium green pepper – deseeded and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves – finely chopped
• 500g ground beef
• 60ml dry sherry
• 100g chopped tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp Tabasco (optional)
• 1 small potato – chopped into small cubes
• 90g pimento stuffed olives
• 40g raisins
• 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 3 Tbsp olive oil

Garnish

• 1 large boiled egg, finely chopped
• 170g sweet peas

Method

• Add the olive oil to a casserole dish and heat up on a low heat until fragrant. Then, add the onion, bell pepper and garlic and continue to cook for a further 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the beef and cook until brown. This should take 10-15 minutes. Break the beef into small chunks with a wooden spoon and remove any excess fat.
• Add the sherry, tomatoes, salt, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco if using it. Cook uncovered on medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Heat the vegetable oil on a small skillet on medium heat until fragrant. Add the chopped potato and cook until golden. It should take approximately 10 minutes.
• Add the potato, raisins and olives to the meat and cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
• Serve the Picadillo over some white rice and top with the egg and peas.

Little Fingers Can

This recipe is better suited for children 7 years old and up.

7 plus (under adult supervision)

• Chop all the ingredients under adult supervision.
• Measure the ingredients. If using a scale, make sure you write the numbers big and clear for them to copy on the scale. If using a measuring jug, place paper tape to highlight where to stop.
• Pour the olive oil to the casserole. 
• Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic and stirring occasionally. 
• Stir in the beef and cook until brown. 
• Break the beef into small chunks with a wooden spoon.
• Add the sherry, tomatoes, salt, worcestershire sauce and Tabasco if using.
• Cook the potato in the separate skillet.
• Add the potato, raisins and olives to the meat. 
• Arrange the finished Picadillo over some white rice and add toppings. 

You may also like these recipes from our Bébé Voyage blog!

Almond Cake From France! Recipes From Around The World

Spanakopita From Greece! Recipes From Around The World

Cinnamon Rolls From Sweden! Recipes From Around The World