Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can be used to create a wide variety of dishes, from simple to elaborate, and from around the world. It's a popular choice for many home cooks, as it's quick and easy to prepare, and can be ready in less than 30 minutes.
In the past, I used to season ground beef in advance, but I've since learned a better way to prepare it. To ensure that the meat cooks loosely and doesn't become lumpy, it's best to sauté it without seasoning until it's no longer pink and has slightly browned. Once it's browned, you can then add the desired seasoning for the dish you're preparing.
It's important to keep in mind that the quality and quantity of fat in the meat can affect the amount of water or broth needed in the recipe. Additionally, this recipe can also be used to prepare ground chicken or pork, but it's important to note that pork may need to be cooked for a longer period of time.
Overall, ground beef is a great ingredient to have on hand for quick and easy meals, and with the right preparation, it can be transformed into a delicious and satisfying dish.
Ground Beef
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 onion
1 green pepper
2 Tablespoons of chopped cilantro or to taste
2 teaspoons tomato paste or tomato sauce
1½ teaspoon mashed garlic
½ teaspoon oregano (optional)
1½ teaspoon chopped olives and capers
2 Tablespoons soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon vinegar or juice of sour orange
½ cup water or broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons of oil to stir fry
Preparation:
1. In a hot frying pan or skillet with oil, stir-fry ground meat until it is no longer pink. With the help of a flat silicon spatula or wooden spoon, stir meat to get it separated and remove any formed lumps. When the meat juices dry and the ground meat begins to brown add onion, pepper, cilantro, tomato paste, garlic, oregano and olives, and capers. These could be chopped finely or processed in the food processor before adding to the pan.
2. Sauté meat for two minutes, and then add soy sauce and vinegar. Add ½ cup of water or broth, let sauté for 2 minutes more, add salt and pepper if needed, cover and cook over low fire for 5 minutes or until you have the desired consistency. The amount of water needed depends on the amount of sauce you would like to have in your picadillo.
Notes:
a) The seasoning used can vary depending on what type of dish you're preparing the ground meat for. As indicated in this recipe leaving it without much sauce or almost dry, would be ideal for filling kipes, bell peppers, pastelitos and empanadas [stuffed savory pastries]. With more sauce, it is perfect to accompany a dish of rice or pasta and to use as a filling in lasagna, pasteles en hoja, and pastelones [meat casseroles].
b) To use in:
- Italian dishes: substitute the cilantro, soy sauce, olives, and capers, for basil and parsley.
- For Mexican dishes: replace the olives, capers, and soy sauce with 1½ teaspoons chili powder, and 1½ teaspoons cumin powder.
Receta de Carne Molida en español: AQUÍ
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~ Romans 12:21
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