Fricassee

Name: Fricassee
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: North African
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)

40 minMediumServes 4385 cal/serving

North AfricanAppetizerStovetopStandard

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Questions

What is 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. This reference files it under North African appetizer: made on the stovetop, rated medium and about 40 minutes start to finish.

How hot should the oil be for Fricassee?

For Fricassee, the frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 7. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

What can I use instead of harissa in Fricassee?

The entry for Fricassee calls for 1/2 tsp harissa paste. In its place: Mix a chili paste such as sambal oelek or sriracha with a pinch each of ground cumin, coriander and caraway, plus a little olive oil.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Fricassee?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Fricassee uses 1/2 lb ground beef.

Can I make Fricassee less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Fricassee comes from 1/2 tsp harissa paste. For a milder plate, start with half the harissa and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes.

Does Fricassee contain eggs?

Yes: 4 eggs large eggs. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Serve it with

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