Health coach and podcast host Hilda Labrada Gore embraced healthy eating after watching a friend heal from an illness with the help of better nutrition. Her Cuban picadillo recipe proves that taking the time to “celebrate and cultivate” the moments in your life – whether it be a family meal or a bucket list experience – always pays off. 

Picadillo is a traditional dish in many Latin American countries; it’s made with ground meat, tomatoes, and regional ingredients. The Cuban version includes olives and raisins and is usually served with black beans and rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. (900 g) ground beef
• 2 tsp (10 mL) cumin
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp (2 mL) garlic powder
• Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 15 oz (425 g) can tomato sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 3 potatoes, cooked and diced
• Sprinkling of olives
• 2 Tbsp (20 g) raisins
• Splash of wine

Directions:

Brown the ground beef with the spices, onion, garlic. Add a splash of wine.

Once beef is cooked through, add the potatoes, raisins, olives, and tomato sauce. Simmer over low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve warm over rice or in tortillas. Serves 8.