Colombian Papas Rellenas Beef (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Potatoes

01 - 8 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
02 - Water for boiling potatoes
03 - Salt, to taste

→ Beef Filling

04 - 450 g ground beef
05 - 1 bunch scallions or green onions, diced
06 - 4 Campari tomatoes, diced
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon sazón seasoning
09 - Salt, to taste
10 - Avocado oil, for sautéing

→ Batter

11 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
12 - 80 ml heavy cream
13 - 2 large eggs
14 - 0.125 teaspoon salt

→ Coating (Optional)

15 - Panko breadcrumbs, for coating

→ Garnish (Optional)

16 - Fresh parsley, finely chopped

→ For Frying

17 - Vegetable oil or avocado oil, for deep frying

# Instructions:

01 - Peel and dice the potatoes. Place them in a large pot, cover with water, and add salt. Bring to a boil.
02 - Cook potatoes for approximately 15 minutes until tender. Drain completely and mash while still warm to allow excess moisture to evaporate. Season with salt to taste and set aside.
03 - Dice the scallions and tomatoes. In a skillet over medium heat, add a splash of avocado oil, then sauté scallions and tomatoes until caramelized. Add the ground beef, cumin, sazón, and salt. Cook, stirring, until the beef is browned and well seasoned.
04 - Divide mashed potatoes into portions of about 80–120 g each. Flatten each portion in your palm to form a disc.
05 - Place 2 tablespoons of the beef filling in the center of each potato disc. Fold over the edges and shape into a sealed ball, ensuring there are no cracks.
06 - In a bowl, whisk together flour, heavy cream, eggs, and salt to form a smooth batter.
07 - Roll each stuffed potato ball in the batter to coat evenly. For extra crunch, optionally roll in panko breadcrumbs.
08 - Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 175°C. Fry balls in small batches for 8–10 minutes until uniformly golden brown. Avoid overcrowding and maintain oil temperature for even cooking.
09 - Transfer fried papas rellenas to a rack to drain excess oil. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

# Notes:

01 - Mash potatoes while hot for best texture and minimal moisture retention.
02 - Maintain consistent oil temperature to ensure an even, crispy crust.