Papa Rellena with a Twist

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, boiled and mashed 4 large potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, finely diced 1 carrot, finely diced
• 1 bell pepper, finely diced 1 bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 cup frozen peas 1 cup frozen peas
• 300g ground beef 300g ground beef
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• Vegetable oil for frying Vegetable oil for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 32g, 4g
• Protein: 24g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat vegetable oil in a pan and sauté the onions and garlic until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. 3.
   Add the carrots, bell pepper, and peas to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle cumin powder, paprika, salt, and pepper over the mixture. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Remove the pan from heat and let the filling cool slightly.
6. 6.
   Take a portion of mashed potatoes and flatten it in your palm.
7. 7.
   Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of the potato and add a few pieces of chopped hard-boiled eggs.
8. 8.
   Carefully shape the potato around the filling, forming a ball.
9. 9.
   Repeat the process with the remaining mashed potatoes and filling.
10. 10.
    Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer.
11. 11.
    Fry the stuffed potato balls until golden brown and crispy.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
13. 13.
    Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to boil the potatoes until they are fork-tender for easy mashing.
• Ground beef — Opt for lean ground beef to reduce the fat content of the dish.
• Hard-boiled eggs — To achieve perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs, place them in a pot of cold water, bring to a boil, and let them simmer for 8-10 minutes before cooling and chopping.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or mushrooms.
• Experiment with different spices such as smoked paprika or chili powder to add a unique twist to the filling.
• Serve the Papa Rellena with a side of tangy salsa criolla for an extra burst of flavor.
• If you prefer a healthier alternative, you can bake the stuffed potato balls in the oven instead of frying them.
• Make a larger batch of mashed potatoes and freeze the leftovers for future use.

Serving advice

Serve the Papa Rellena as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro or parsley for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden-brown Papa Rellenas on a platter, showcasing their crispy exterior. Serve with a side of colorful salsa criolla to add a vibrant touch to the presentation.