Picadillo Explained

Picadillo (pronounced as /es/, "mince") is a traditional dish in many Latin American countries including Mexico and Cuba, as well as the Philippines. It is made with ground meat (most commonly beef), tomatoes (tomato sauce may be used as a substitute), and also raisins, olives, and other ingredients that vary by region. The name comes from the Spanish word picar, meaning "to mince".[1]

Picadillo can be eaten alone, though it is usually served with rice. It can also be used as a filling in tacos, empanadas, alcapurrias, and other savory pastries or croquettes. It can also be incorporated into other dishes, like pastelón (Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico), chiles en nogada (Mexico), and arroz a la cubana (Philippines).[1] [2]

History

Although the dish was common in Hispanic cultures before the 19th century, a 19th-century recipe from California for pasteles a la argentina is given for a filled pastry with layers of beef picadillo and chicken cooked in a green chili and onion sauce with olive oil and raisins. "Picadillo" was not always made with beef; "picadillo de ave" was a minced fowl with white sauce. Pasteles de pollos y pichones (chicken and squab pastry) was made as a savory pie with alternating layers of chicken and squab with a picadillo of minced veal, bacon, ham fried in lard with onion, mushrooms, apples, artichokes, tomatoes, and a layer of seasonings.[3]

By region

Costa Rica

Costa Rican versions always include the name of the vegetable that represents the main ingredient to the dish (potato picadillo, ayote picadillo, etc.) and that is chopped and cooked with bell peppers, onions, stock, herbs and spices. It can include some type of protein but that is not essential. It is often served with tortillas or rice.

Cuba

Cuban versions include peppers, onions, garlic, oregano, cumin, tomato sauce, stock, olives, and on occasion potatoes, capers,[1] and Spanish chorizo[4] and is usually sauteed in olive oil and white wine, depending on the region. Cuban picadillo is served with black turtle beans and rice.[5]

Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, it includes peppers, onions, cilantro, garlic, tomato paste, bouillon cube, and may include olives, capers, raisins, hard-boiled egg. It is served over rice or used as a filling for pasteles, empanadas, kibbeh, and cabbage rolls.

Peru

In Peru, it is used as a filling for empanadas, caigua rellenas as well as a main dish served with rice called arroz tapado. The ground meat is sauteed with garlic, hard boiled egg, raisins, olives, spices and herbs. Peruvian Picadillo does vary from family to family

Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, it is used as a filling for empanadas, alcapurria, piononos and other fritters. It can also be served with rice and beans. The ground meat is sauteed with annatto, diced ham, oregano, bay leaf, recaito, tomato sauce and on occasion cumin, cheese, raisins, beans, sweet peas, olives, capers, diced potato, other spices and herbs. Puerto Rican Picadillo[6] does vary from family to family.

Philippines

See also: Arroz a la cubana. In the Philippines, picadillo is also known as giniling, which is Tagalog for "ground [meat]". Picadillo is cooked in two different ways. The version more commonly referred to as "picadillo" is a soupy stew made with ground or minced beef (also pork or sometimes, chicken), potatoes or chayote, green peas, carrots, onions, garlic, bell peppers, black pepper, and raisins in a tomato-based broth seasoned with patis (fish sauce), soy sauce, and sometimes chilis.[7] [8] [9] Hard-boiled eggs (chicken or quail) are also commonly added, and it is eaten with white rice. It does not include olives or capers as in the Latin American version.[10] [11] Filipino actor-politician Richard Gomez created his nostalgic version of home-cooked Picadillo soup made with ground pork, potatoes, tomatoes and seasoning.[12]

The second variant uses the same ingredients as the first version but is drier, like the Latin American version. This version is more widely known as giniling. Like the stew version, it is also usually eaten paired with white rice or is commonly used as stuffing, like for Filipino empanadas.[13] [8] [9]

When served with white rice, sunny-side up eggs, and fried saba bananas, it becomes the Filipino version of the dish arroz a la cubana. Although in Filipino arroz a la cubana, the meat component can be made with just simple ground meat and peas in tomato sauce, not necessarily cooked picadillo-style. It differs from the Spanish version of arroz a la cubana which does not include ground beef at all.[14] [15] [16] [17]

Mexico

In Mexico, beef picadillo is a classic antojito of the national cuisine.[18] [19] The most basic and popular set of ingredients of picadillo in Mexico are ground beef, carrots and potatoes, all cooked in a tomato sauce made from blended tomatoes, garlic and onion, usually seasoned with salt, pepper, and cumin but its preparation and ingredients can vary slightly from one region to another. For example, a Mexican picadillo can also include squash or peas. Mexican picadillo is typically eaten with tortillas, tostadas or tortilla chips and usually accompanied with rice or beans. It can be used as filling for chiles rellenos,[20] chiles en nogada,[21] tamales[22] or gorditas.[23] [24] [25] Pork is also a popular meat to use for picadillo in Mexico, as well as a mixture of pork and beef.[26] [27]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sifton . Sam . The Ultimate Cuban Comfort Food: Picadillo . New York Times . 7 December 2018 . 17 September 2014.
  2. News: Galarza . G. Daniela . For dinner, go for a peak picadillo . Washington Post . February 2021 . 3AD . 23 February 2022.
  3. El cocinero español by Encarnación Pinedo, 1898
  4. Bremzen, Anya Von "Picadillo a la Habanera" Paladares: Recipes inspired by the private restaurants of Cuba" (2017,) p. 248-249
  5. Web site: Cuban Picadillo.
  6. Web site: Rivera . Rachel . 2020-08-10 . Puerto Rican Picadillo Recipe - thecleanhappylife . 2023-08-02 . en-US.
  7. Web site: Instant Pot or Stove Top Filipino-style Picadillo (Ground Beef and Vegetable Stew) . Manila Spoon . 13 April 2019 . 3 January 2024.
  8. Web site: Manalo . Lalaine . Picadillo Soup . Kawaling Pinoy . 26 September 2022 . 3 January 2024.
  9. Web site: Manalo . Lalaine . Filipino-style Picadillo with Potatoes . Kawaling Pinoy . 15 December 2021 . 3 January 2024.
  10. Web site: Beiser . Alpana . Giniling (Filipino Picadillo) . Gypsyplate . 2 July 2021 . 3 January 2024.
  11. Web site: Merano . Vanjo . Pork Giniling with Quail Eggs . Panlasang Pinoy . 4 February 2015 . 3 January 2024.
  12. News: Taste of nostalgia: Richard Gomez whips up comforting Picadillo soup. August 6, 2024 . politiko.com.ph. July 15, 2024.
  13. Web site: Merano . Vanjo . Picadillo Recipe . Panlasang Pinoy . 3 February 2018 . 3 January 2024.
  14. Web site: Merano . Vanjo . Arroz a la Cubana Recipe . Panlasang Pinoy . 11 October 2012 . 3 January 2024.
  15. Web site: Manalo . Lalaine . Arroz a la Cubana . Kawaling Pinoy . 23 July 2021 . 3 January 2024.
  16. Web site: Dumlao-Giardina . Rowena . Arroz a la Cubana (Cuban Rice), The Philippine Way . Apron and Sneakers - Cooking & Traveling in Italy and Beyond . 16 March 2013 . 3 January 2024.
  17. Web site: Filipino Picadillo . A Family Feast . 25 March 2019 . 3 January 2024.
  18. Web site: Picadillo de res, recetas rápidas de cocina mexicana ⋆ Larousse Cocina . 2022-04-19 . Larousse Cocina . es-ES.
  19. Web site: 2018-12-28 . Cómo hacer picadillo mexicano . 2022-04-19 . Comedera - Recetas, tips y consejos para comer mejor. . es.
  20. Web site: 2017-05-20 . Chiles Rellenos de Picadillo, receta con imágenes paso a paso. Muy fácil. . 2022-04-19 . Recetas de comida mexicana México en mi Cocina . en-US.
  21. Web site: 2020-07-30 . Qué ingredientes llevan los chiles en nogada . 2022-04-19 . El Universal . es.
  22. Web site: Tamales de picadillo de cerdo . 2022-04-19 . Comida Kraft . es-US.
  23. Web site: admin . 2020-11-13 . Gorditas De Harina De Picadillo Norteño ⋆ Cocina Con Sazón . 2022-04-19 . Cocina Con Sazón . es.
  24. Web site: Picadillo mexicano . 2022-04-19 . www.guiadelacocina.com . es.
  25. Web site: Picadillo . 2022-04-19 . mx.recepedia.com . es-MX.
  26. Web site: Picadillo Mexicano de Puerco . 2022-04-19 . www.mexican-authentic-recipes.com . en.
  27. Web site: Soco . Mary . 2017-06-29 . Picadillo de cerdo con verduras. Receta de cocina mexicana . 2022-04-19 . Directo al Paladar México . es.