Beef Stew with Capers and Olives

1/3 c Currants, dried

1/4 c Vegetable oil

1 c Onions, chopped

1 tb Garlic, mined

1 c Green pepper, chopped

1/3 c Stuffed green olives

3 1/2 c Capers, drained

3 tb White vinegar

1/4 ts Cinnamon

1/4 ts Ground cloves

1 Bayleaf

Tabasco sauce 2 lb Ground round or chuck

3 c Tomatoes, peeled and chopped

1. Place the currants in a bowl and cover with warm

water. Set aside to soak. 2. Meanwhile, heat half the oil in a kettle and add the onion., garlic and green pepper. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Add the olives, capers, vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf and tabasco sauce to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 min. 3. While the vegetable mixture is cooking, heat the remaining oil in a skillet and add the meat. Cook, breaking up the meat with the side of a metal spoon to prevent lumps, until the meat loses its red color. 4. Add the meat to the vegetable mixture and stir to blend. 5. Drain the currants and add them. 6. Add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, about 45 min. Skim off the fat as it rises to the surface during cooking. 7. Serve hot with freshly cooked rice. This dish: Picadillo