A simple dish with a Moroccan flavor
Here’s a simple dish that comes together quickly on a busy evening, it’s a warming Moroccan Picadillo, or hash, with flavorful spices and Harissa paste.
Common spices used in Moroccan cooking include salt, pepper, ginger, turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, and cumin.
Health benefits of a few spices in this dish
Oregano provides a hint of sweetness and warmth to this dish while increasing our intake of nutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and fiber (1).
Antioxidants found in oregano, like carvacrol and thymol, help to prevent cell damage caused by free radicals, and these two antioxidants also provide antibacterial properties to help prevent infections (2).
Cumin is a low-growing leafy plant common in the Mediterranean region, and the fruit is called cumin seed, a popular spice used in various culinary recipes. Cumin improves digestion, relieves gas, eases bloating, and has antispasmodic properties to relieve cramping (6) (7). Additionally, cumin is anti-inflammatory with antioxidant properties, and the essential oil of cumin has antifungal properties that can inhibit fungal growth (8).
Turmeric is a spice containing curcuminoids, compounds that provide medicinal properties, with curcumin being the main bioactive in turmeric (3). As an antioxidant, curcumin scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage the body, like superoxide, and hydrogen peroxide, and it inhibits lipid peroxidation that can damage our cells (4). As an anti-inflammatory agent, curcumin reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF a (4). Curcumin is fat-soluble and not well absorbed by the body, but consuming turmeric with healthy fat and black pepper will help the body absorb this potent anti-inflammatory antioxidant. Additionally, turmeric adds to our nutrient intake by providing micronutrients like potassium, magnesium, choline, and calcium (5).
Moroccan Picadillo Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds of ground beef, grass-fed/finished
½ large onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil
¾ tbsp. of Harissa paste*
¾ tsp. sea salt
1 ½ tsp. oregano, dried
1/8 cup parsley, chopped
½ tbsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. turmeric
¼ tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. allspice, powder
1/8 tsp. nutmeg, powder
½ tsp. coriander, ground
½ tsp. lemon zest
¼ tsp. black pepper
1 cup diced tomatoes
¼ cup water
*Harissa ingredients: chili pepper, red peppers, tomato paste, garlic cloves, caraway seeds, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, sea salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil.
Instructions:
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the onion and garlic, and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes.
Add the ground beef and cook on high until cooked and browned.
Add the remaining ingredients, stir, reduce the heat to simmer, and cook covered for about 20 minutes.
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