Savor the taste of Peru with these crispy and hearty Papa Rellenas filled with a savory blend of beef and spices.
Did you know?
Papa Rellenas are a product of Peru's diverse culinary history, a fusion of indigenous Andean and imported European food traditions.
Imagine a golden-brown orb of deliciousness, a crispy exterior giving way to a soft, flavorful center. One bite into a Papa Rellena, and you're transported to the vibrant streets of Lima where this dish is a celebrated staple. 'Papa' means potato, and 'rellena' means stuffed, a name that humbly describes these stuffed potato croquettes. The traditional filling is a savory mix of ground beef, onions, garlic, and olives, with a hint of cumin and paprika, punctuating the richness of the potatoes. They're then breaded and fried to create a contrast in textures that makes this dish a beloved comfort food in Peruvian cuisine. Gather your friends and family and get ready for a culinary adventure that will make your kitchen the most popular eatery on the block!
Ingredients
- 1 kg of potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 500 g of ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 50 g of black olives, pitted and chopped
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 tablespoon of sweet paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 100 g of all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 200 g of breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying
Steps
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and mash until smooth, set aside to cool.
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the onions and garlic until golden and fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and brown it. Season with cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Mix in the olives and chopped eggs into the cooked beef. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.
- With cool mashed potatoes, form palm-sized balls. Make a well in the center of each and spoon in the beef filling.
- Seal the potatoes around the filling, forming an oval shape.
- Roll the stuffed potatoes in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat in breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or large skillet. Fry the Papa Rellenas in batches until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and serve while hot with a side of salsa criolla or aji sauce.
Add some extra love
To ensure even cooking, make sure your Papa Rellenas are of uniform size. Serve them with a squeeze of lime for an extra zing!
Recipe Remix:
Your Twist, Your Taste
Whether you would like to swap out an ingredient, make it vegan, or just mix things up, let's get creative and remix this recipe!
Your kitchen, your rules. Let's play.
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