Cuban Style Beef Picadillo with Basmati Rice
A flavorful Cuban-inspired dish of seasoned lean ground beef simmered in an aromatic sofrito with warm spices, paired with light basmati rice and tender sautéed zucchini.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Yadira + Lila
Yadira created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet · Saucepan
Time saver
Prep the vegetables and measure pantry ingredients earlier in the day to shorten cook time.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 10 steps complete
Next: Measure 0
- 01
Measure 0
Measure 0.33 cup dry white basmati rice and 0.66 cup water into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
Look for: liquid is absorbed
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat 0
Heat 0.5 tsp of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute.
Allow: 1 minute
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add 0
Add 0.25 pcs yellow onion and 1 pcs garlic clove to the skillet. Cook for 3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
Look for: translucent and fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 04
Add 140g lean ground beef to the…
Add 140g lean ground beef to the skillet. Break the meat apart with a spoon and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until browned through with no pink remaining.
Look for: browned through with no pink remaining
Tap card to mark done - 05
Stir 1 tbsp tomato paste
Stir 1 tbsp tomato paste, 0.5 tsp ground cumin, and 0.5 tsp dried oregano into the beef. Simmer on low heat for 4 to 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Allow: 4 to 5 minutes
Tap card to mark done - 06
Heat remaining 0
While beef simmers, heat remaining 0.5 tsp olive oil in a separate small skillet over medium heat.
Tap card to mark done - 07
Add 1 pcs zucchini to the skillet
Add 1 pcs zucchini to the skillet. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until tender-crisp and lightly browned on the edges.
Look for: tender-crisp and lightly browned on the edges
Tap card to mark done - 08
Fluff cooked rice with a fork and…
Fluff cooked rice with a fork and spoon onto a serving plate.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 09
Top rice with the warm beef picadillo
Top rice with the warm beef picadillo, sprinkle with 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, and place the sautéed zucchini alongside. Enjoy warm.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 10
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for…
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Tap card to mark done
Made this recipe?
Leave a quick rating or a cooking tip for the next woman.
Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
One good meal is a start. Your whole week is better.
Tell Lila what you like, what you avoid and which symptoms are loud today. She’ll turn that context into meals, targets and small adjustments that fit real life.