• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
My Big Fat Cuban Family

My Big Fat Cuban Family

Cuban recipes, family, heritage, and culture.

  • Meet Marta
    • Media Mentions
  • Lifestyle
    • Cuban-American Life
    • My Big, Fat, Cuban Family
  • Entertainment
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Television
    • Concerts
    • Books
    • Theatre
  • Celebrate
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Cuban Christmas
    • Mother’s Day
    • Movie Nights
    • Summer Nights
  • Recipes
    • Cuban Recipes With Pictures
    • Family Favorites
    • My Cook Book
  • Shop
    • Cuban Foods Poster
    • Cuban T-Shirts
    • Costa Rican Foods Poster
    • Honduran Foods Poster
    • Puerto Rican Foods Poster
    • Salvadoran Foods Poster
    • Scottish Foods Poster
    • Customize Your Own
    • Cuban Goodies In Your Mailbox
  • Contact
    • Advertise
  • Archives

Papas Rellenas Recipe

July 27, 2016 By Marta Darby

Papa Rellena Recipe with Pictures

Multi-Tasking

Like every other Cuban mother out there, I am constantly aware of my charges. That is, I’m constantly trying to stay one step ahead of my family. I’m always anticipating their needs and their wants and their ‘antojos.”

Please understand that I’m not trying to brag here. This is just how our own Cuban mother groomed my sisters and me. I know you know what I’m talking about. It goes something like this: Mami is making a big dinner of Masitas de Puerco, pero Papi prefiere bistec, so Mami will not only make the Masitas (and they will turn out perfectly delicious, of course, but that’s not important right now) but Papi will definitely also get his bistec, too, made to his specifications. It’s the way it’s always been. It’s how it will always be. Cuban mothers are GIVERS.

I’m really not as pro as my mom was in the food-distribution wars. I know what my family will want; I just stretch it out and work to make sure to put it into the rotation. 

For example: I made picadillo on Monday, and boiled the potatoes while the picadillo was cooking so that I could make Papas Rellenas for Tuesday with the leftover picadillo. Are you following? I’m constantly multi-tasking and trying to second-guess what my family will be enjoying next.

Here’s how I plan my Cuban menu for the week:

  • Monday – Picadillo – The picadillo becomes the filling for Tuesday’s Papas Rellenas,
  • Tuesday – I’ll serve those Papas Rellenas as a companion to Crockpot Lechon
  • On Wednesday the pork goes into some Fried Rice with Pork,
  • Thursday you’ll still have leftover Pork but only enough to go into Cuban sandwiches.

It’s all about planning….

All that to say this: My family will be eating well this week and and they will praise me with great praise and I’ll demurely brush it aside with “It was nothing…”  When really all it took was some preparation and forethought. And bada-boom! It’s Papas Rellenas. And that’s what I call Cuban multi-tasking!

What about Friday? I know you’re asking about Friday. Friday my grateful husband takes me out and lets someone else do the cooking – it’s called….. A Date. 

That is all.

Papas Rellenas

  • About 6 baking potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • Garlic Powder
  • Parsley for garnish
  • 2 Tbsp. Warm milk ( maybe slightly more – warm a little milk in a small cup for this part)
  • PICADILLO (leftover from the stuff you made last night.)
  • 2 eggs, beaten with 1 Tbsp. Water
  • 1-2 cups Corn Flake Crumbs
  • Oil for frying

(originally posted on Babalú Blog. May 2008.)

1) Boil potatoes until they are fully cooked.

2) Drain.

3) Mash the potatoes – by hand along with the salt , garlic powder and warm milk. DO NOT ADD ANY BUTTER.

4) Let cool just until you can handle them with lightly greased hands.

5) Grab a handful of the mashed potatoes and make a little bowl (about the size of half a large golf ball), making an indentation in it.

6) Do that again. Stuff the indentations with picadillo and bring the two halves together and smooth the outside. You should have a cute little picadillo-stuffed potato at this point.

7) You can make these whatever size you like, actually. Repeat until you’re out of potatoes or picadillo. 

8) Beat the eggs with water until they are a little fluffy.

9) Dip the papa rellena into the beaten egg, then roll in the corn flake crumbs mixture until lightly covered.

10) Dip a second time in the egg mixture and again in the bread crumbs.

11) Cover the rellenas and refrigerate for at least 3 or 4 hours or overnight before the next part!!!

Take them out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before frying.

12) Fill a large frying pan with enough oil to cover half a ball.

13)Fry each ball at least 2 minutes per side, turning once – or at least til they’re golden brown. (color is everything!)

You can serve them hot or cold, as appetizers or as a main dish. Amy Kikita likes hers with grilled onions served over the warm potato. You can also spice up the bread crumb mixture if you like.

God, I love Cuban food! (yes, that was a prayer. =D)

You might also like:

Frita Cubana Recipe Empanadosas Recipe Carne con Papas Recipe Papas Asadas Recipe – You say potato. I say papa.

Filed Under: Cuban Recipes With Pictures

Previous Post: « Oven-Baked Spanish Tortilla Recipe
Next Post: Sweet and Sour Guava Meatballs Recipe »

Primary Sidebar

TRY SUPER SMOOTH CAFE LA LLAVE ESPRESSO

Cafe La Llave espresso coffee pods

My Cuban T-Shirt Designs

“Cuban T-Shirts

Subscribe to MBFCF Newsletter!

Never miss a post! Sign up with your email address to receive recipes, news and updates right in your inbox!

Cuban Foods Poster

“Cuba

Cuban Coffee Poster

“Cuba

Cuban Desserts Poster

“Cuba poster - Cuban desserts subway art print

Most Recent Posts

  • Santayana loves Celia
    August 29, 2024
  • Post Solar Eclipse – Café La Llave Giveaway
    April 16, 2024
  • REAL Snow: A Darby Family Adventure
    March 19, 2024
  • Dulce De Leche Cheesecake with Maria Cookie Crust
    January 29, 2024
  • Hispanic Heritage Coffee Basket Giveaway
    October 24, 2023

Cuban Recipes Cookbook

Cuban recipes with pictures cookbook from My Big Fat Cuban Family

Follow Me on Instagram

mybigfatcubanfamily

I love all things Cuban. I love to share stories, my family, food & recipes. I'm Marta. 💋🎉 @martadarby
Marta Darby Designs:
https://etsy.me/3ZWbWIS

Oh, the Cubanity!! 🇨🇺❤️#mybigfatcubanf Oh, the Cubanity!! 🇨🇺❤️#mybigfatcubanfamily
O’ Hi! 👋🏼 ☘️🇨🇺Always represent O’ Hi! 👋🏼 ☘️🇨🇺Always representing. 😉#mybigfatcubanfamily
#stpatricksday
Believe it. ☕️🥰❤️Happy Sunday, my fri Believe it. ☕️🥰❤️Happy Sunday, my friends. 🎉#ohthecubanity🇨🇺
#belikemarta 🖖🏼😎
#thedrinkofmypeople🇨🇺☕️
I’m super crazy in love with my Christmas tree.🥰
And @gloriaestefan singing about it makes it that much more beautiful. Am I right? 🤩I’m over here waiting (rather impatiently) for Noche Buena to arrive. ⏱️
Who’s with me? 👀☺️🎄🙌🏼❤️#arbolitodenavidad
#feliznavidad
#ohthecubanity🇨🇺
I have a gift for you today on the blog. 🎁 Thes I have a gift for you today on the blog. 🎁 These Classic Cuban Crema de Vie printable labels designed by the lovely and talented @lucyruthdarby // I also share the recipe for our amazing Cuban egg nog. // 🇨🇺❤️ Merry Christmas, my friends.🎄 #itsacubanthing
bit.ly/2QJV2Ka
Best way to get from here to Noche Buena. Bring on Best way to get from here to Noche Buena. Bring on the @cafelallave
💚🗝️☕️🎄💃🏻🎶Feliz Navidad!!🎶🪅#cafelallave
#thedrinkofmypeople🇨🇺☕️
Felicidades, @anaqooks !!! I can’t wait to dig i Felicidades, @anaqooks !!!
I can’t wait to dig in! So proud of you, my friend. 😘❤️🥰
Bacon Guava Cream Cheese Bites. You should totally Bacon Guava Cream Cheese Bites. You should totally make these for Thanksgiving. Also, practice taking bows and saying, “it was nothing.” 🇨🇺🎉🏆 Here’s the link -  bit.ly/GuavaBites #thefoodofmypeople #guavabites
A big a Thank You shoutout to @santayanajwlrs in M A big a Thank You shoutout to @santayanajwlrs in Miami for this gorgeous Celia Cruz quarter which they made into a FINE piece of jewelry. 🤩🇨🇺💃🏻🎶
I’ll be wearing it with great pride.
“Abre que voy! Cuida’o con Los callos!” 🎶
AZUCAR!!!#santayanajewelers
#celiacruzquarter
#mybigfatcubanfamily
Our favorite sound…🙌🏼☕️💚🗝️“Mas cafecito, por favor.” ☕️❤️#cafelallave☕️
#thedrinkofmypeople🇨🇺☕️
#mybigfatcubanfamily
I want to recommend this beautiful story to you. 📕
1) Because the author @titaramirezwriter writes with such an appreciation for Cubanity. 🇨🇺🙌🏼
2) Also, is this the BEST quintessentially Cuban book title ever?? yes. Yes it is. 🇨🇺❤️🌴Felicidades, Tita on such a delicious read. ❤️🏆#ohthecubanity🇨🇺
#dimelocantando
#tellittomesinging
I’m excited and proud to share that my shop, Mar I’m excited and proud to share that my shop, Marta Darby Designs on Etsy is back open for business! 🎉
I have food posters from many countries available in multiple colors. ⭐️
Choose from digital uploads, printed posters, or framed posters. (Link in bio)
Que pachanga! 💃🏻
Come take a look and shop around. You’re bound some to find something you love.❤️https://etsy.me/3ZWbWIS#cubanfoodposter
#martadarbydesigns
Croquetas > Pumpkin Spice
This is the truth. Don’t @ me. 🇨🇺
.
.
.
.
.#ohthecubanity🇨🇺
#belikemarta 🖖🏼😎
#mybigfatcubanfamily
#croquetas
#pumpkinspice
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m pretty easy to catch.
🤭#pastelitodeguayaba
#belikemarta 🖖🏼😎
AHORA SI!! 🚨 My friends at @santayanajwlrs le p AHORA SI!! 🚨
My friends at @santayanajwlrs le pusieron la tapa al pomo!
Have you seen the new Celia Cruz quarters?? 🇨🇺💰
Well, Santayana has designed this gorgeous piece of jewelry. Seriously. 🤩
I’ll tell you all about it over on my blog. 🗣️ Porque I have all the chisme on this gorgeous piece. ❤️I know. Im a little crazy about it because we Cuban Queens have to stick together. 😉Link in profile! ☝🏼 ¡AZÚCAR! 💃🏻https://www.mybigfatcubanfamily.com/2024/08/santayana-loves-celia/
My good friends at @albisacandles are celebrating My good friends at @albisacandles are celebrating that 5 Years ago they introduced the amazing Cuban Bread Candle into the world.🌎
Those of us who have difficulty finding Cuban Bread are so grateful for this very Cuban scent. 🇨🇺🥖
Congratulations, my friends! 🎉Try it. I promise you’ll never be the same. 🇨🇺🥖❤️Oh, the Cubanity! 🤯#ohthecubanity🇨🇺
#belikemarta. 🖖🏼😎
#cubanbread
#cubanbreadcandle
#albisacandles
This was my breakfast. ☕️
And my lunch. ☕️
And my afternoon snack. ☕️
Because CUBAN. 🇨🇺☕️Who’s with me? 🙋🏼‍♀️
Gracias, @cafelallave#cafelallave
#ohthecubanity
#cafecubano
It goes without saying. Because CUBAN! 🇨🇺🍮#cubanfood
#cubanflan🍮
#thefoodofmypeople🇨🇺
This is so real. 🇨🇺🥖🙈Thanks to my fr This is so real. 🇨🇺🥖🙈Thanks to my friend, @theyumyumfoodie ❤️🙏🏼#thefoodofourpeople
#ohthecubanity
We have known this our whole lives! “Oye, Chiqu We have known this our whole lives!
“Oye, Chiqui! Traéme el VIBAPORU!! 🎯💃🏻❤️🎉#mybigfatcubanfamily
#futbol
Follow on Instagram

Follow Marta On Social

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

FEATURED POSTS

  • My Big Fat Cuban Cooking Playlist
    November 21, 2016
  • Bacon Guava Cream Cheese Bites RecipeBacon Guava Cream Cheese Bites Recipe
    October 3, 2016
  • Chicken Soup Recipe - Cuban-styleChicken Soup Recipe: Cuban-style
    July 27, 2016
  • Picadillo Pies Recipe
    July 27, 2016
  • El Flan de La Reina Recipe
    July 27, 2016

Blog Archives

Recommended Services

Orange County Private Investigator
Enterprise SEO

Footer

Meet Marta

Marta Verdes Darby is a Cuban-American food blogger in South Orange County.

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign Up For My Newsletter

July 2016
MTWTFSS
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Jun   Aug »

Copyright © 2025 my big fat cuban family