Papas Rellenas Chilenas
Papas Rellenas are a beloved Chilean comfort food, featuring mashed potatoes formed into a ball, filled with a savory 'pino' (ground meat and onion mixture), and then deep-fried or baked until golden brown. Often served with a hard-boiled egg and olive inside the filling, they are a hearty and satisfying dish.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Potatoes(Yukon Gold or red potatoes recommended)
- 115 g Butter
- 1/2 cup Milk(warmed)
- 1 large Eggs(for the potato dough)
- 1/2 cup Flour(for the potato dough)
- 500 g Ground beef
- 1 large Onion(finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup Red bell pepper(finely chopped)
- 1 clove Garlic(minced)
- 1 tsp Ají de color (paprika)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 3 large Hard-boiled eggs(chopped)
- for frying Vegetable oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and mash them with butter and warm milk until smooth. Let cool slightly, then mix in the egg and flour to form a pliable dough.
- 2
For the 'pino' filling: Sauté the onion and red bell pepper in a little oil until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Stir in garlic, ají de color, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes. Let cool.
- 3
Take a portion of the potato dough, flatten it in your hand, and place a spoonful of the 'pino' filling and some chopped hard-boiled egg in the center. Close the dough around the filling to form a ball, ensuring it's well sealed.
- 4
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot over medium-high heat. Carefully fry the stuffed potatoes in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Alternatively, you can bake them at 200°C (400°F) for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- 5
Remove the papas rellenas from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the potato dough is not too sticky; add a little more flour if needed.
- ✓Don't overfill the potatoes, or they may burst during cooking.
- ✓For a crispier coating, you can roll the formed potatoes in breadcrumbs before frying.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a hard-boiled egg and an olive to the center of the 'pino' filling.
- For a lighter version, bake the papas rellenas instead of frying them.