2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 - 1 lg. green pepper, chopped
6 - 10 cherry tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp. capers
1 - 2 snack - size boxes raisins
1 1/2 - 2 lb. lean ground meat
1/2 - 1 tsp. each salt and pepper (optional)
3 tbsp. - 1/4 c. dry red wine

For sofrito, saute onion, garlic and green pepper in olive oil until soft and golden. Add cherry tomatoes, capers and raisins. Reduce heat, simmer a few minutes. Add ground beef and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return heat to medium high. Break up the meat and mix it in the sofrito. Brown meat evenly. Reduce heat and sprinkle with dry red wine. Simmer at least 10 minutes. Serve with rice and tossed green salad with a vinaigrette dressing. Black beans or fried plantains would be good accompaniments, but require much more time in the kitchen. Often Cubans serve salad on the same plate and eat the rice, picadillo and salad together. Kids like the sweet - sour flavor! A Cuban dessert would be guava paste, cream cheese and saltines or flan.