Mafrum - Potato stuffed with meat

I once saw a video of someone making something similar and I loved it. Loved that it fried and baked in a sauce. But seriously, who doesn’t love meat and potatoes combo? Its 2 components that can go in so many different directions and i will always love the results.

These are a variation of Mafrum (totally didn’t know they were called like that!), a traditional Libyan dish of meat stuffed in a potato thats sliced, creating a pocket. Traditionally, it is made in a tomato based sauce, but I wanted something different, something that resembles the flavors i love and crave!

The process seems like a lot, but trust me it is really not bad or long to make!

For the meat:

• 1.5 lb half lean minced beef

• 1 cup cilantro

• 1 onion

• 1 clove garlic

• 1 tbsp paprika

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp salt

• 3 tbsp water

For the sauce:

• 2 onions, finely diced

• 1/2 tsp saffron infused in 1.5 cup hot water

• 2 tbsp oil

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 lemon, juiced

• 2 tsp salt

For breading:

• 5 lb potatoes, peeled

• 4 eggs, beaten

• 1-2 cups potato starch

• Oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Place potatoes in a pot of water and boil. Remove once knife runs through potatoes with difficulty, so enough to parboil them. Drain.

2. Meat mixture: in mini processor, chop cilantro, garlic and onion until fine. Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl. Mix just until combined.

3. Stuffing: Carefully slice potatoes in 3-4 slices lengthwise. Place slices on a flat surface, place 1-2 tbsp of the meat mixture in the middle and top with another slice of potato. Set aside and repeat until done.

4. Breading and frying: Heat a large pan with about 1 inch of oil over medium heat. Place potato starch in a bowl and egg in another. Trying to work quickly, dip each piece in first potato starch then egg, then drop in hot oil. Flip once golden. Remove and set aside in a baking dish.

5. Sauce: heat a small frying pan over medium high heat. Add oil. Fry onion until caramelized. Add all other ingredients and mix. Pour over mafrum. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.

For full video, click here.

Enjoy,

Guila