Picadillo is one of my favorite Cuban meals because of it's unusual flavor combinations. While other variations can be found throughout Latin America, this Cuban picadillo features the flavors of green olives, raisins, cumin, and of course, sofrito. Sofrito is a mixture of tomato sauce, garlic, onions and peppers, and it is traditionally used as a base in many Cuban and Latin American meals. You can buy it prepared (frozen or canned) if you live in certain areas, or you can make it yourself at home. I like to keep things low-sodium and additive-free as possible, so I made my own. Plus, it's just more fun that way. :) This is something that you can make in a large batch when the ingredients go on sale and keep in the freezer for future use. Mojo marinade is a staple in Latin American cooking, and should be available in the ethnic section of your grocery store.
*Tip* Make the sofrito ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours or over night. This will bring out the flavors more and mean less work for you when it's time to make dinner!
Serve with black beans and rice for a complete meal!
