How to Make the Perfect Briouats Crispy Moroccan Parcels with Kefta
Moroccan · Medium · 50 min · 6 servings
Briouats are golden, crispy triangular Moroccan parcels made from thin warqa or phyllo pastry filled with a seasoned ground beef and herb mixture. They are fried until shatteringly crisp and served as an irresistible appetizer or part of a larger Moroccan spread.
Why this recipe works
This Briouats Crispy Moroccan Parcels with Kefta recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 340 calories with 18g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 300 g ground beef or lamb
- 8 sheets phyllo pastry, cut into strips
- 0.5 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Kefta Filling
Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon and cook for 8 minutes until fully browned. Add cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper and stir well. Remove from heat, stir in the chopped parsley, and allow the filling to cool completely before using.
Step 2: Fill and Fold the Briouats
Lay one strip of phyllo pastry on your work surface and brush with a little oil. Place a heaped teaspoon of cooled filling at one end of the strip. Fold the corner of the pastry over the filling to form a triangle, then continue folding in a flag-fold motion all the way to the end of the strip. Seal the end with a little water or egg wash.
Step 3: Fry Until Golden
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 180 degrees Celsius. Fry the briouats in batches of 4 to 5, turning once, for 3 to 4 minutes total until they are deeply golden and completely crispy on all sides. Do not overcrowd the oil or the temperature will drop.
Step 4: Drain and Serve
Remove the fried briouats with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels for one minute. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately while hot and crispy. They can be accompanied by a simple chili sauce or lemon wedges for squeezing.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- ground beef → ground chicken or a mixture of cheese and herbs for a vegetarian version
- phyllo pastry → spring roll wrappers for a similar crispy result
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using a filling that is too wet which makes the pastry soggy and causes it to burst open during frying
- Folding the triangles too loosely so they open up and fall apart in the hot oil
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 340 calories, 18g protein, 28g carbs, 18g fat, 2g fiber.
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