Visiting Cuba is o
n our “bucket list.” The sooner we can get there the better, as it seems that time may catch up with them after all. Have you seen travel shows and colorful images? All the streets are filled with 1950s-era cars, intoxicating Buena Vista Social Club music wafts out of clubs and the food – oh, the food. Give me a plate dressed with black beans and sweet plantains any day.
Ropa Vieja is a slow-cooked meat dish that I often make in my slow cooker. But, for something faster, perhaps on a weeknight, Cuban Picadillo is an easy choice. It is one of the tastier ground meat recipes I’ve tried. The briny olives juxtaposed with the sweet raisins make a more complex meal than any American hamburger dish.
This recipe makes a batch big enough to feed four to six people when served over rice. You can also use the meat as a filling for tacos or inside empanadas. Black beans and fried plantains make perfect sides. Wash it all down with a few mojitos, and you may be able to close your eyes and imagine yourself in Cuba for just a moment or two. Continue reading “Cuban Picadillo” »
Caroline Lubbers is a mother, wife, business owner and blogger living in Chicago. She launched her blog, Whipped, in 2007 to explore new recipes and as an excuse to buy a fancy camera. Though Caroline is a serious foodie, she doesn’t take herself too seriously. Her warm manner and conversational voice welcome readers to pull up a chair and join her at her “virtual table.”
