Picadillo is one of my favorite foods. It is a mixture of beef, vegetables and olives simmered in a flavorful sauce. It is made in many Latin American countries with some variations in the ingredients that are used. This recipe is probably most similar to a Cuban picadillo.

There are so many yummy flavors in this. There are lots of peppers and onions that provide a great foundation of flavor. Green olives add just the right amount of saltiness. Also, there are a variety of herbs and spices in the sauce that add a delicious and savory component.

The olives are my favorite part. They are so yummy. Plus, they add just enough salt that I don’t need to remember to add salt before serving it. This is really delicious served with black beans and rice. But don’t worry if you don’t have time to make beans and rice. It is also great with just rice.

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• ⅓ cup manzanilla olives with pimento, diced (measure ⅓ cup after dicing)
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1- 15 ounce can tomato sauce

Instructions

Saute the diced onions and peppers in olive oil until they are almost tender. Add the ground beef to the vegetables and continue to cook until the beef is browned. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for about 5 minutes. Serve with rice and beans.