Easy Picadillo with Lemon Parsley Couscous

This dish is a family favorite. It's origins are Latin and there are so many variations of it. 

I have made it with ground turkey and pork as well and it's delicious. This could easily become a Vegetarian dish by subbing TVP or crumbled tofu (I haven't tried that version yet...) and it's naturally Gluten free.  

It can be served over rice, but today I made a Lemon Parsley Couscous and it was a beautiful compliment to this flavorful dish.

This can also be used as a filling for Empanadas, or even tacos. 

Serve it over potatoes or noodles even. 

Say it, Picadillo, pee-ka-dee-yo. Say it really fast, 3 times, haha, it's fun.


 

Typically, this dish is made with ground meat, tomatoes, green olives and the Latin Sofrito-which is onions, green peppers and celery. I subbed carrots for the green peppers, cause that's what I had. 

That's what is so nice about this recipe, it can be made by whatever you have available. and that's why I threw in a handful of frozen peas at the end, so nice ( and another veggie to ramp up this meaty dish).

Ingredients:
1 1/4 lbs ground beef, turkey or pork
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced green pepper-I subbed carrots here
3 cloves garlic grated or minced
1 14 oz can whole or diced tomatoes-crushed with their juice
1 4 oz can tomato sauce-I used Rotel brand for a little heat
1/4 cup green olives-chopped
1/4 cup olive brine
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Soy Sauce
1 tsp Oregano
Pinch Cinnamon
1/2 cup frozen peas(optional-but so nice)

Directions: 

1. In a large pot, brown and crumble meat. 
2. Add in the Sofrito and stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes. 
3. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add in the tomatoes and sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Soy Sauce, Olives, brine, Oregano and Cinnamon. Stir to combine, cover and lower heat. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
5. Lastly stir in the peas, if using.
6. Check seasoning, add in 1 tsp of pepper, I doubt you'll need salt. 

Lemon Parsley Couscous

1 1/2 cups couscous
2 1/4 cup hot chicken, beef or vegetable broth
3 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp salt
Zest of 1 lemon
1/4 chopped flat leaf parsley

1. Melt butter in small pot and add in couscous stirring to coat. 
2. Add in hot broth and bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low and cook for 5-7 minutes. 
3. Add in Lemon zest, and parsley and fluff with a fork. 
4. Yum.

 Printable Recipe Here

Using a microplane is the easiest way to grate garlic....fast!

And the big pot of goodness...

 

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