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Tunisian Brik

Yields6 ServingsPrep Time25 minsCook Time20 minsTotal Time45 mins

Crisp malsouka pastry folded around tuna, potato, parsley and a soft-centered egg.

Tunisian brik with tuna and egg, a crisp North African pastry

Brik filling
 1 medium russet potato, peeled and cubed
 170 g canned tuna in oil, drained
 2 tbsp capers, drained and chopped
 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
 2 green onions, finely sliced
 1 tsp harissa paste
 ½ tsp ground cumin
 ½ tsp fine salt
 ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Assembly and frying
 6 malsouka pastry sheets or large spring-roll wrappers
 6 large eggs
 3 cups vegetable oil, for frying
 1 lemon, cut into wedges
Directions
1

Put the potato in a small saucepan, cover with water and simmer over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes until completely tender. Drain well and mash until smooth.

2

Combine the warm potato with the tuna, capers, parsley, green onions, harissa, cumin, salt and pepper. Let the filling cool so it does not soften the pastry.

3

Heat the frying oil in a wide deep skillet over medium-high heat to 175°C. Keep a tray lined with paper towels nearby.

4

Lay one pastry sheet on a plate and place about 1/3 cup filling on one half. Shape the filling into a ring with a shallow well in the center.

5

Crack one egg into the well, fold the pastry over into a half-moon or triangle and press the edges together. Work quickly and fry each brik as soon as it is folded.

6

Slide the brik carefully into the hot oil. Fry for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side until blistered and golden while the yolk remains soft; adjust the heat to keep the oil near 175°C.

7

Lift the brik out with a slotted spoon and drain briefly. Repeat with the remaining pastry, filling and eggs, assembling one at a time.

8

Serve immediately with lemon wedges, encouraging diners to squeeze lemon over the crisp pastry before the first bite.

Notes

Malsouka gives brik its characteristic delicate crunch; spring-roll wrappers are the closest substitute. Keep each egg contained in a small well and fry immediately after folding.

Nutrition Facts

6 servings

Serving size

1 brik

Amount per serving
Calories330
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20g26%

Saturated Fat 4g20%
Trans Fat 0g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 205mg69%
Sodium 520mg23%
Total Carbohydrate 24g9%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 15g

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.