Food Recipes Dinner Meat Dishes Picadillo Beef Casserole with Corn-Scallion Biscuit Topping 5.0 (2,028) 1 Review Inspired by a Cuban picadillo, this recipe perfectly balances savory and sweet with warm aromatic spices, sweet raisins and tangy green olives. By Justin Chapple Justin Chapple Justin Chapple is a chef, recipe developer, food writer, video host, and cookbook author. In addition, he is the culinary director-at-large of Food & Wine and host of their video series, Mad Genius Tips, for which he was nominated twice for a prestigious James Bead Award. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 9, 2019 Rate Print Share Photo: © Alexandra Rowley Active Time: 45 mins Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Yield: 10 servings Ingredients Filling 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 4 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced 2 1/2 pounds ground beef 4 tomatoes, halved crosswise, seeded, and diced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of ground cloves 1/2 cup pitted pimento-stuffed green olives, halved 1/2 cup golden raisins Topping 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup finely ground cornmeal 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 stick plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 3/4 cup whole milk, plus more for brushing 1 cup thinly sliced scallions (about 6 scallions) Directions In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and red and green peppers and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes, cumin, oregano, cinnamon and cloves and cook over moderate heat until the tomatoes just start to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the olives, raisins and 1/2 cup of water and season with salt and pepper. Scrape the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch casserole. Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a bowl, whisk the flour with the cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-size pieces remaining. Stir in the 3/4 cup of milk and scallions just until a raggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead just until it comes together. Using your hands, press the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick circle and stamp out seven 3-inch rounds. Gather the scraps and press the dough together; stamp out 3 more rounds. Arrange the biscuits on top of the meat mixture and brush the tops with milk. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the biscuits are risen. Make Ahead The recipe can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight. Bring the filling to room temperature before topping with the biscuits and baking. Originally appeared: November 2011 Rate It Print