Popletas
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- Canola oil
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon NYSHUK harissa
- 3 large Idaho potatoes peeled and cut into 6 wedges each
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs
- In a skillet set over moderately high heat, cook the meat in 1 tablespoon of oil, breaking it up, until browned.
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the harissa.
- Reduce the heat and stir for 5 minutes.
- Let cool.
- In a deep pot, cover the potatoes with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and cook over moderate heat until you can easily insert the tip of a knife into the potatoes.
- Drain well and return the potatoes to the pot.
- Cook over low heat, stirring, to dry out the potatoes as much as possible, 4 to 5 minutes; dont let them brown.
- Remove from the heat and mash the using a potato masher.
- Mix in 1 1/2 tablespoons of harissa and season with salt, mixing gently.
- Do not let the mash cool.
- In another small bowl, crack 2 eggs and mix with a fork.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the mashed potato and mix well; repeat this 3 times to gradually warm the egg.
- Stir this mixture into the remaining mashed potatoes until fully incorporated and uniformly bright red.
- Oil your hands.
- Spread about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the mashed potato onto your palm in a 3-inch round about 1/2 inch thick.
- Place 1 teaspoon of the meat in the center and cover the meat completely with mashed potato.
- Shape it into a slightly flattened round.
- Repeat to form the remaining popletas.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 1/2 inches of canola oil until hot but not smoking.
- Meanwhile, roll all of the popletas in flour, shaking off the excess.
- Break 2 eggs in a shallow bowl and mix well.
- Dip each popleta in the egg and carefully add it to the hot oil.
- When the popletas have browned, which should be very quickly, turn them around to brown the other side.
- Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Repeat with the remaining popletas and serve warm.
ground beef, canola oil, salt, nyshuk, potatoes, allpurpose, eggs
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/popletas (may not work)