Editorial sample recipeMexicanbeginnerDairy-FreeGluten-FreeHalal

Mexican Spiced Beef Picadillo With Sweet Plantains

Name: Mexican Spiced Beef Picadillo With Sweet Plantains
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1.25 lb ground halal beef, 85 percent lean; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano; 1.5 cups crushed tomatoes, canned; 0.25 cup pitted green olives, coarsely chopped; 0.25 cup golden raisins; 2 medium ripe yellow plantains, peeled and sliced into half-inch rounds

A comforting Mexican skillet meal featuring ground beef simmered with aromatic spices, tomatoes, green olives, and raisins, served alongside soft caramelized sweet plantains.

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 25 min
Total: 40 min

Technique to learn

Simmering Picadillo

Cooking seasoned ground meat gently in a seasoned tomato base allows dry fruit and salty olives to balance each other while building deep flavor.

Instructions

Step 1: Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced plantains and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and tender. Transfer plantains to a warm plate.
Step 2: In the same skillet, add the ground halal beef and cook over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain excess liquid if necessary.

Step 3: Push the meat to one side of the skillet and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, diced yellow onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 4: Stir in the ground cumin and dried Mexican oregano, tossing with the beef and onion mixture for 1 minute to bloom the spices.

Step 5: Add the crushed tomatoes, chopped green olives, and golden raisins. Stir well, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.

Step 6: Return the cooked plantain slices to the skillet or serve them alongside the savory spiced beef picadillo.

Cooking tips

Choose plantains with skin that is mostly yellow with dark spots for the perfect balance of sweetness and firmness.
If Mexican oregano is unavailable, standard dried oregano works as a suitable substitute.
Original home-cooking adaptation inspired by Mexican; regional versions vary.
Use halal-certified meat, poultry, stock, sauces, cheese and other processed ingredients. Check labels and avoid cross-contamination. Recipe screening is not halal certification.

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