A beloved Peruvian dish, Papa Rellena translates to "stuffed potato". It's essentially a crispy potato dough filled with a savory, seasoned beef mixture. Often served with salsa criolla, these golden beauties are perfect as appetizers or even a main dish.
2tspaji amarillo pasteor any chili paste, adjust to taste
2hard-boiled eggschopped
12black olivespitted and chopped
¼cupraisinsoptional
For Frying:
Vegetable oil
Instructions
Boil potatoes in salted water until soft. Drain, then mash while still warm. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes.
6 large potatoes, Salt to taste
Mix the beaten egg into the cooled mashed potatoes and knead until smooth.
1 egg
In a frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 small onion, 2 cloves garlic, ½ red bell pepper
Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with cumin, salt, pepper, and aji amarillo paste.
½ lb ground beef, 1 tsp ground cumin, Salt and pepper to taste, 2 tsp aji amarillo paste
Once the beef is browned, add the chopped hard-boiled eggs, olives, and raisins (if using). Stir well and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
2 hard-boiled eggs, 12 black olives, ¼ cup raisins
Take a portion of the potato dough and flatten it in your hand. Place a spoonful of the beef filling in the center and mold the potato around the filling to form an oval-shaped ball.
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or deep frying pan to 350°F (175°C).
Vegetable oil
Fry the stuffed potatoes until they are golden brown, turning once. This should take about 4-5 minutes on each side.
Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Notes
Salsa criolla, a Peruvian onion relish, is a fantastic accompaniment for Papa Rellena.
If you're not a fan of raisins, they can be omitted or replaced with other preferred ingredients.
Did You Like This Recipe?Take a picture and mention us on Pintrest @HispanicFoodNetwork or tag it with #hispanic_food_network! Don't forget to subscribe to our email list for more recipes!