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Mom’s Picadillo con Papa

I've mentioned this before, and I'll say it again. To me, a recipe without a story is simply a recipe. When I think about Mom's Picadillo Con Papa, I get a flood of emotions and memories. In all honesty, it was made frequently in our home since it could feed a big family at a reasonable cost. Growing up, we adored this meal, as well as many other rice, bean, and egg dishes. I wouldn't have had it any other way.
Prep Time20 minutes
Active Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Mom’s Picadillo con Papa
Yield: 6

Instructions

  • Preheat 1/8 to 1/4 cup of olive oil in a nonstick pan to medium heat for a few minutes. Add the diced potatoes and cook until browned and crispy in most spots. I like to cover my potatoes while they cook. The steam created helps them cook a little faster from the inside. Transfer potatoes to a plate lined with paper towels to drain, set aside.
  • Add the ground beef to that same skillet and heat to medium/high. Season beef with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon cumin and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until nicely browned.
  • Add the garlic and onion, continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, serranos, 1/4 cup water, salt and oregano to the blender and blend until smooth. Pour tomato mixture into picadillo. Let it come to a boil and taste for salt. Fold in the potatoes and stir until well combined. Taste for seasonings and continue cooking at a low simmer until sauce thickens and reduces, 7-10 minutes . Remove from heat.
  • Enjoy !!