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Fricassee

A Tunisian fried pastry sandwich filled with savory ground meat, a soft-boiled egg, and aromatic spices. Golden, crispy exterior with a rich, spiced filling makes it a beloved street food and appetizer.

40 minMediumServes 4385 cal/serving

North AfricanAppetizerStovetopStandard

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 4 eggs large eggs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
  • 1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp harissa paste
  • 1/4 tsp caraway seeds
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 8 wrappers wonton wrappers
  • 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a pot of water to a boil. Gently lower 4 eggs large eggs into the water and cook for 4 minutes to soft-boil them. Remove with a slotted spoon and let cool, then peel and set aside.

  2. 2

    Heat 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking) in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté 1/2 small finely diced yellow onion until softened, about 3 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.

  3. 3

    Add 1/2 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.

  4. 4

    Stir in 1/2 tsp harissa paste, 1/4 tsp caraway seeds, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

  5. 5

    Place 8 wrappers wonton wrappers flat on your work surface with one corner pointing toward you (diamond orientation). Place 1 tbsp of the meat mixture in the center.

  6. 6

    Top with a piece of soft-boiled egg. Fold the bottom corner up and over the filling, then fold in the left and right corners. Wet the top corner with water and fold it down to seal the pastry.

  7. 7

    Heat 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying) in a deep skillet to 350°F. Carefully fry each fricassee for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

  8. 8

    Drain on paper towels and serve warm with harissa sauce or hot sauce on the side.

Questions

Can I make Fricassee gluten-free?

Not cleanly. 8 wrappers wonton wrappers has no substitute that behaves the same way in this dish. If you need strictly gluten-free, start from the gluten-free appetizer collection instead.

How long does Fricassee keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Fricassee?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

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