Crock Pot Picadillo Is A Hearty Healthy Weeknight Family

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb (680 g) lean ground beef or turkey (90% lean)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil (optional, for browning)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1¼ cups / 150 g)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tbsp / 9 g)
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup / 150 g)
• 14 oz (400 g) canned diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tbsp (33 g) tomato paste
• ½ cup (120 ml) low-sodium beef or chicken broth (or water)
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 12 oz / 340 g) — OR 2 medium sweet potatoes
• ⅓ cup (50 g) green olives, sliced (mild)
• ¼ cup (40 g) raisins (or golden raisins) — optional
• 1 tsp (2 g) ground cumin
• 1 tsp (2 g) smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
• ½ tsp (1 g) dried oregano
• ¼ tsp (0.5 g) ground cinnamon (optional)
• ½ tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 bay leaf (optional)
• 2 tbsp (8 g) fresh cilantro, chopped (for finishing)
• Juice of 1 lime (about 1 tbsp / 15 ml)
• 1-2 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water (optional slurry to thicken)