Dominican Quipes
These crispy Dominican quipes are made with seasoned bulgur wheat and filled with flavorful ground beef. Perfect as an appetizer, party snack, or savory treat, they can also be prepared ahead and frozen for later.
Ingredients
For the bulgur wheat mixture
- 1½ cups bulgur wheat
- 1½ cups golden wheat
- 1 large onion
- 1 cubanela pepper
- 1 Tbsp salt
- ½ Tbsp ground allspice (pimienta malagueta)
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- Leaves from 2 sprigs fresh mint
- Leaves from 1 sprig fresh basil
For the Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef 454 g
- ½ onion finely chopped
- 1 garlic mashed,
- black pepper to taste
- ground allspice to taste
- mint stems
- basil stem
- salt as needed
For Frying
- Oil, as needed
Instructions
- Prep: Place both types of wheat in a large bowl and have the vegetables and herbs ready.
- Soak the Wheat: Cover the wheat with hot water, leaving the water about ¾ inch (2 cm) above the wheat. Let it hydrate for at least 2 hours.
- Cook the Beef: While the wheat is soaking, season the ground beef with black pepper, allspice, finely chopped onion, mashed garlic, and salt.
- Finish the Filling: Cook the beef with the mint and basil stems until browned and completely cooked through. Remove the herb stems and set the filling aside to cool.
- Process the Wheat: Once hydrated, drain the wheat very well. Transfer it to a food processor with the mint leaves, basil leaves, cubanela pepper, onion, salt, black pepper, and allspice.
- Blend: Process until the mixture is finely ground and holds together well enough to shape.
- Shape: Lightly wet your hands and form a portion of the wheat mixture into an oval. Use your finger to create a hollow space in the center.
- Fill: Add some of the cooked beef, then carefully close the opening. Smooth and gently press the outside until completely sealed.
- Check the Shape: Make sure there are no cracks or openings before frying. A smooth, well-sealed quipe is much less likely to break apart in the oil.
- Fry:Heat the oil to 350°F (180°C), then fry the quipes until deeply golden and crispy on the outside.
- Drain: Transfer to a rack or paper towel-lined plate and let the excess oil drain before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 14gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 743mgPotassium: 360mgFiber: 7gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg
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