Fricassé (Tunisian Fried Tuna Sandwich Rolls)
Local name: فريكاسي
In short: Golden fried rolls of soft yeast dough, split and stuffed with tuna, olives, boiled egg, potato and harissa, a popular Tunisian street sandwich. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 720 kcal
Fricassé is the Tunisian sandwich that does not start at a bakery. Small rolls of yeast dough are deep-fried until puffed and golden, then split and filled with tuna, olives, hard-boiled egg, boiled potato, a spoonful of harissa and a splash of olive oil. Beach stalls sell them all summer and families pack them for picnics. Eat them warm, while the crust is still crisp and the inside soft.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and enough lukewarm water to form a soft, slightly sticky dough. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth.
- Cover the bowl and leave the dough in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Shape each into a smooth oval roll about 10 cm (4 in) long and set them on a floured tray. Cover and rest for 30 minutes until puffy.
- Heat the frying oil in a deep, wide pan to 175°C (350°F). Fry the rolls 2 or 3 at a time for about 2 minutes per side, until golden and puffed. Drain on paper towels.
- Let the rolls cool for 5 minutes. Slit each lengthwise without cutting all the way through and spread the inside with harissa.
- Fill with tuna, egg, potato, olives and capers. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice and serve warm.
Tips
- Keep the oil at 175°C (350°F). If it is too cool the rolls soak up oil, and if it is too hot they brown before the center cooks.
- Let the rolls cool a few minutes before filling, because a very hot roll turns the filling oily. A spoonful of mechouia salad makes a good extra filling.
Questions and answers
Can I bake fricassé rolls instead of frying them?
You can bake them at 200°C (400°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, but they will taste like soft bread rolls. Frying gives the crisp, puffy shell the sandwich is known for.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. After the first rise, shape the rolls and refrigerate them overnight, then let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before frying.
What is in a traditional fricassé?
Tuna, boiled egg, boiled potato, olives and harissa are the usual fillings, often with capers or a little grilled pepper salad. Each stall has its own mix.
How long does it take to make Fricassé (Tunisian Fried Tuna Sandwich Rolls)?
About 1 h in total: 40 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fricassé (Tunisian Fried Tuna Sandwich Rolls)?
About 720 kcal per serving, with 24 g of protein, 88 g of carbohydrates and 30 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 720 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 88 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
