Try Picadillo Instead of Chili this Fall.

I love flavor, spices and olives.  I also love chili.  It's a great one pot meal that is just as good the next night and frozen for a quick meal.  When I lived in South Florida, I also loved Cuban food.  There was a great restaurant called the Cuban Cafe in Boca Raton, Florida that had wonderful Cuban food.  I always would order the Picadillo and was never disappointed.  Recently I found this recipe for Picadillo and it's been a hit at my house. I've almost replaced my cooler months Chili recipe with it.  Don't be put off by the use of ground cloves and cinnamon in this recipe, it really tastes great and also make your house smell heavenly!

Here's how it's made:

Saute chopped onions, peppers and garlic.

Remove the vegetables and cook the ground beef until it crumbles.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the olives, capers, spices and vinegar.

Cook over medium heat until the liquid has evaporated.

Add to the ground beef the vegetables and olive mixture.

Add the tomatoes.

Cook for about 1/2 hour over medium heat.

I love it with avocado and served over brown rice.  Hope you do too!

Here's the entire recipe:

Ingredients:

Coat the pan with Pam Olive Oil Spray

2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 large onion chopped

5-6 small orange and yellow peppers chopped

2 lbs ground beef (I use lean)

2 cups sliced green olives

1/2 cup capers

1/4 cup white vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

2 dried bay leaves

2 dashes of hot sauce

6 cups of diced tomatoes, using about 1/2 of the liquid

Directions

Cook the vegetables and garlic in the sprayed pan until onions are transparent.  Removed to another bowl.

Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until it crumbles and liquid is absorbed

Meanwhile combine the olives, capers, spices and vinegar in a small saucepan.

Cook on medium until the liquid is absorbed.

Combine the cooked meat with the olive mixture, onions and peppers and the tomatoes.

Cook over medium heat for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, an hour is better.

Enjoy!