Picadillo, rice an easy meal

Picadillo, or stewed ground beef, is a well-known Cuban dish. It is usually served with rice or potatoes, but it also has been adapted as the filing for a Sloppy Joe sandwich.

The story goes that Sloppy Joe's Restaurant in Key West took this traditional dish and served it over two halves of Cuban bread, calling it a Sloppy Joe.

To serve this Picadillo Sloppy-Joe style, cut oblong rolls in half and scoop out the insides. Toast lightly, spoon the warm picadillo mixture on top and serve.

There are many Picadillo variations, but olives and capers are always part of the recipe. If you like a slightly sweeter dish, add raisins.

Serve with a washed, ready-to-eat salad.

Quick Cook Tip: Use quick-cooking rice instead of the recipe below.

Helpful Hints

► Pre-chopped onion and green bell pepper found in the produce section can be used instead of frozen chopped onion and green bell pepper.

► Look for 95 percent lean ground beef.

► Minced garlic can be found in jars in the produce section of the market.

Countdown

► Place water for rice on to boil.

► Start Picadillo.

► When water boils, add rice.

► Finish Picadillo.

► Finish rice.

PICADILLO

Olive oil spray

1 cup frozen chopped/diced onion

1 cup frozen chopped/diced green bell pepper

1 teaspoon minced garlic

3/4 pound extra lean ground beef

13/4 cups no-sugar-added, low-sodium crushed tomatoes

8 pitted green olives, quartered

1 tablespoon drained capers

1/4 cup raisins (optional)

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons white vinegar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with olive oil spray. Add onions, green bell pepper and garlic. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Add beef and break up into small pieces wi