Papa Rellena – Dominican Republic

Papa Rellena is a delicious Dominican dish that consists of mashed potatoes stuffed with a savory ground beef filling. It’s a popular snack or appetizer in the Dominican Republic. Here’s a recipe to make Papa Rellena at home:

Ingredients:

For the Potato Dough:

• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• Salt, to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup milk (approximately)
• 1 egg, beaten

For the Filling:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1/2 cup pitted green olives, chopped
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For Frying:

• Vegetable oil for deep frying

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Potato Dough:

• Place the potato chunks in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil.
• Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
• Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or a ricer.
• Add butter, milk, and a beaten egg to the mashed potatoes. Mix well until you have a smooth and creamy potato dough. Season with salt to taste. Set aside.

2. Prepare the Filling:

• In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onions and garlic and sauté until they become translucent.
• Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s browned and cooked through.
• Stir in the diced tomatoes, bell pepper, chopped olives, raisins, and ground cumin.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until the filling is well combined and the flavors meld together. Remove from heat.

3. Assemble the Papa Rellena:

• Take a golf ball-sized portion of the potato dough in your hand and flatten it to form a small pancake-like shape.
• Place a spoonful of the beef filling in the center of the potato dough.
• Carefully encase the filling with the potato dough, shaping it into an oval or ball. Seal the edges well, ensuring there are no openings.

4. Fry the Papa Rellena:

• Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
• Carefully place the stuffed potato balls into the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes per batch.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the Papa Rellena from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil.

5. Serve:

• Serve the Papa Rellena hot, either as a snack or appetizer, with a side of ketchup or hot sauce for dipping.

Enjoy your homemade Dominican Papa Rellena!