Picadillo con alcaparras (picadillo with cape

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
¼cupOlive oil
2poundsGround beef (chuck or top round)
1smallOnion; finely chopped
1largeRipe tomato; peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
1Garlic clove; minced
1Bay leaf
1teaspoonCrushed oregano
3ouncesBottled capers
8Pimiento-stuffed olives
2tablespoonsWine vinegar
3tablespoonsTomato sauce
¼cupBurgandy wine
2dropsHot sauce (more to taste)
½teaspoonBrown sugar
1dashNutmeg
¼cupWater
Salt if needed

Directions

Use a large skillet with cover. Heat olive oil and brown beef in hot oil until red of meat disappears. Combine onion, green pepper, tomato, garlic, bay leaf, crushed oregano, and capers. Add to meat in skillet. Mix well and cook covered for about 10 minutes on moderate heat. Cut olives into thin rounds. Add to the meat mixture together with the vinegar, tomato sauce, burgandy wine, hot sauce, sugar, and nutmeg. Stir well and cook 5 minutes, uncovered. Now add the water and mix well. Correct seasoning. If salt is needed, add it at this point (the salt released from the olives may be sufficient for your taste). Cover the skillet and cook at low heat for approximately 30 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed. If the liquid is not absorbed sufficiently at the end of 30 minutes, cook uncovered until liquid evaporates. Serve over long grain white rice and ripe fried plantains if available.