Description
Papas Rellenas are deliciously crispy fried potato balls stuffed with a savory seasoned ground beef mixture, offering a popular and flavorful Caribbean street food experience perfect for snacks or appetizers.
Ingredients
Scale
Potato Dough
- 2 pounds mashed potatoes
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 2 teaspoons corn starch, plus more for dusting
Beef Filling
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 tablespoons sofrito
- 4 tablespoons tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Frying
- Vegetable oil, for deep frying
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all ingredients including mashed potatoes, eggs, butter, cornstarch, ground beef, sofrito, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, olive oil, and vegetable oil for frying.
- Prepare Potato Dough: In a bowl, mix the hot mashed potatoes with lightly beaten eggs, butter, and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch until combined. Set aside and let it cool to handle comfortably.
- Cook Beef Filling: Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently until the meat is no longer pink and nicely broken up.
- Add Seasonings and Simmer: Stir in sofrito, tomato sauce, dried oregano, and salt into the cooked beef. Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes to blend flavors, then remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Form Potato Balls: Lightly dust your hands with cornstarch. Take a spoonful of the cooled potato dough and flatten it in your palm. Make an indentation in the center and place a spoonful of the beef filling inside.
- Seal and Shape: Cover the filling with more potato dough, carefully sealing the edges and shaping it into a smooth ball. Lightly dust each ball with cornstarch to prevent sticking.
- Heat Oil for Frying: Fill a deep pot with about 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat it to 370°F (188°C) for optimal frying temperature.
- Deep Fry: Carefully place the stuffed potato balls into the hot oil in batches, frying them for approximately 6 to 8 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the fried papas rellenas with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil before serving.
Notes
- This recipe provides a tasty and easy-to-make Caribbean street food favorite.
- You can prepare the mashed potatoes ahead of time to save on prep.
- Ensure oil temperature is well-maintained at 370°F for crispy, non-greasy results.
- Use freshly made sofrito or store-bought for convenience.
- If desired, serve with a dipping sauce such as aji or a garlic mayo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed potato ball (approx.)
- Calories: 234 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 428 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
