Papas Rellenas (Fried Stuffed Potatoes)

Manami's Note:

This is one Cuban snack that if you haven't tried it, you probably can't imagine what it is nor how it tastes! Instead of asking what the heck is it, here why not taste one? These can be made to a point ahead of time and frozen and they also make wonderful appetizers. Real comfort food! These have to be placed in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours, and if deep-frying the frozen method is best. This is a combination of a lot of recipes - a main contributor has been the cook at the "home".

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 24

PAPAS (POTATOES)

• 4 large potatoes, peeled & boiled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• black pepper
• 4 eggs
• dry breadcrumbs (I use seasoned ones)
• flour, enough for rolling
• vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 lb seasoned ground beef (picadillo)

PICADILLO (SEASONED GROUND BEEF)

• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 green bell peppers or 1 red pepper, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb ground beef (ground sirloin is best)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground coarse black pepper
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (if you coose)
• 4 teaspoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• vegetable oil

Directions:

1. POTATOES::.
2. Boil potatoes until fully cooked.
3. Drain potatoes and mash with salt.
4. DO NOT ADD BUTTER, OIL, OR LIQUID.
5. Let cool.
6. PICADILLO (meat mixture)::.
7. Saute onions and green pepper until onions are limp.
8. Add the garlic, beef, salt, cumin, black pepper, tomato paste and vinegar.
9. Continue to cook until meat is completely cooked.
10. Drain off excess fat and allow to cool.
11. Now, grab a handful of mashed potatoes, split handful in 1/2 and make each one into a bowl pressing with fingers.
12. Stuff the indentation in each 1/2 with ground beef or picadillo.
13. Bring the two 1/2's together and smooth to make a round ball, the size of an overstuffed golf bowl. (This is the size used for a snack/lunch).
14. If your going to use these for appetizers make them a lot smaller, the size of sauerkraut or rum balls.
15. Dip ball into beaten egg and the flour until lightly covered.
16. Dip the ball again into the eggs, and roll in breadcrumbs to coat thoroughly.
17. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours or you may freeze these for later use.
18. Use frying pan with enough oil to cover half the ball at a time.
19. Heat oil to frying time (375°F) and drop each potato ball into oil.
20. BE CAREFUL!
21. Cook 2 minutes or until golden brown on one side and then turn over & cook the same.
22. If you have deep-fryer heat oil to 375°F.
23. Place the potatoes in a single layer in the basket and drop into oil for 3 minutes or until golden brown.
24. DON'T OVERCOOK.
25. Deep frying is best when they are frozen.

Reviews

[FrenchBunny]

Oh my Manami !!!! These were exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much for sharing when I asked you for a recipe like this. I had made these the night before so I could have them for lunch. I did cut the recipe in half since we were only two. I did have leftover meat mixture and just froze that in a container for the next time. I really found these were not hard at all to make. It was kinda fun. I had made 6 good size ones. I did add a Kalamata olive in each one because that is how I had them in a restaurant and I loved them in there. I also used red pepper and not green only cause my friend hates green peppers. I love cumin and had put in extra..mmmm...good stuff. I had deep fried them and put the temp at 350 but next time I think I will put it a little lower than that because they browned quickly without the middle getting hot. They were just warm in the middle but that could just be because of the size I made them. But they were a perfect size for lunch, we each ate two and I just had some homemade beets and homemade chow chow with them. I had two leftover for my supper that night. Well let me say thanks again for sharing Manami...absolutely yummy food......

[Chef #478705]

I love this receipe! I had been looking for a really good recipe for these for years and was really glad when I stumbled on this one. I use to get them all the time from a favorite restaurant called "Puerto Plata" whenever my family and I would go home for a visit. I used my home-made chorizo instead of the ground beef mixture and they still tasted great. The papas rellenas feel just like home because there are no Latin restaurants in Jacksonville, North Carolina, so this recipe is much appreciated. Thank you!

[Alan in SW Florida]

This is a wonderful treat from "Three Guys from Miami." And, you are so right...you haven't lived until you try these. I usually use my own Picadillo recipe (Piccadillo). Thanks for posting! Alan