Puerto Rican Picadillo with Brown Rice
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Mahatma® Jasmine Brown Rice
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lb ground beef
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup pimento-stuffed olives, chopped
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
For a plate packed with meat, vegetables, and a ton of flavor, look no further picadillo — served alongside aromatic yet hearty Jasmine Brown Rice! Talk about versatility, not only can you get creative with our Puerto Rican Picadillo recipe, but you can also serve it as either a filling or a main course.
Step 1
Cook rice according to package directions.
Step 2
Heat oil in Dutch oven or large high-sided skillet set over medium heat; cook onion, bell peppers and garlic for 5 to 7 minutes or until softened.
Step 3
Increase heat to medium-high; cook ground beef, breaking up with wooden spoon, for 8 to 10 minutes or until browned. Add cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, cayenne and pepper; cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until fragrant.
Step 4
Stir in chicken broth, tomato sauce, olives and raisins. Reduce heat to medium; cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until beef is cooked and picadillo is thickened.
Step 5
Garnish with cilantro. Serve with rice.
Flavor Tip
Serve with fried plantains and black beans on the side for a real feast.
What is Picadillo?
Popular all over Latin America, picadillo is a hearty plate typically consisting of meat, vegetables and spices, usually in a tomato sauce, but always including Latin staple ingredients. There are many variations, but the fact that the ingredients are finely chopped is consistent; after all, picar is Spanish for chop or mince. So what else can you toss in your picadillo? Many recipes include potatoes, while carrots, peas, and capers can add flavor, texture, and a splash of color! For some heat, add chopped peppers: serranos, jalapeños, or any other pepper that will match your spicy craving. Swap out the ground beef for poultry. Shred chicken or turkey; in fact, this is a prime opportunity to get creative and use up Thanksgiving leftovers!
Picadillo Filling
An empanada packed with picadillo is a guaranteed crowd pleaser! That’s right, picadillo makes for a flavorful filling and when surrounded by a light, flaky crust, they are simply irresistible. These tasty Empanadas with Turkey and Rice Picadillo are prime examples of just how delicious combining two Latin American classics — picadillo and empanadas — can be! Don’t stop there! Papa rellena and enchiladas are just a couple more possibilities for picadillo filling. It can also be served alongside the best Mexican rice recipe. Try these tacos dorados for inspiration.
What is Jasmine Brown Rice?
Want to add more whole grains into your routine without sacrificing the sweet aroma of Jasmine Rice? With the same alluring aroma and 100% whole grains, Thai Jasmine Brown Rice is the best of two worlds. In addition to the hints of sweet jasmine, the whole grain variety has a slightly nutty flavor. Jasmine Brown Rice— thanks to the cereal and bran layer — is chewier than other grains. With all the minced ingredients in this picadillo, this is a welcome texture.
