Mexican Picadillo
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Mexican Picadillo is a savory, comforting ground meat hash that typically features beef simmered with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and potatoes. The dish is often enriched with a variety of mix-ins like olives, raisins, capers, and spices such as cumin and cinnamon, creating a complex sweet and savory flavor profile. It is a staple home-cooked meal throughout Mexico and Latin America, often served with warm tortillas, rice, or beans.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is a well-balanced meal that is moderately high in protein from the ground beef and provides a good amount of carbohydrates from the potatoes. It is a rich source of iron, zinc, and B vitamins, with a rough calorie ballpark of around 400-500 calories per serving, depending on the fat content of the meat and added ingredients.
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Picadillo is a fascinating dish because its name derives from the Spanish word 'picar' (to chop), and it has countless regional variations across Mexico, with some versions being spicy and others sweet. Nutritionally, the addition of raisins and olives provides a unique blend of antioxidants and healthy fats, making it a surprisingly nutrient-dense comfort food.