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September 23, 2024
Looking for a unique and delicious snack to try? Look no further than kwek kwek, a popular Filipino street food made from quail eggs coated in a bright orange batter. Kwek kwek is a favorite snack among locals and tourists alike, known for its crunchy texture and savory flavor. Whether you’re new to Filipino cuisine or a seasoned pro, learning how to cook kwek kwek is a great way to add some excitement to your next meal or snack time.
What is Kwek Kwek?
Kwek kwek is a popular street food in the Philippines that consists of boiled quail eggs covered in a batter made from flour, cornstarch, water, and anatto powder. The eggs are then deep-fried until golden brown and served with a tangy and slightly spicy vinegar dipping sauce. The name “kwek kwek” comes from the sound made when the eggs are dropped into the hot oil to fry.
Fun fact: Kwek kwek is sometimes confused with “tokneneng,” which is a similar street food made from chicken eggs instead of quail eggs. The main difference is the size of the eggs used, with kwek kwek using smaller quail eggs and tokneneng using larger chicken eggs.
Ingredients for cooking kwek kwek
To cook delicious kwek kwek, you will need the following ingredients:
- 12 to 18 quail eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup orange food coloring
- Oil for frying
- Vinegar for dipping sauce (optional)
Make sure to gather all the ingredients before you start cooking kwek kwek for a smooth and enjoyable cooking process.
Eggs, Flour, Orange food coloring, Cooking oil, Salt
To cook kwek kwek, you will need the following ingredients:
- Eggs
- Flour
- Orange food coloring
- Cooking oil
- Salt
Preparing the kwek kwek batter
Before you can start cooking kwek kwek, you will need to prepare the batter. The batter is what gives kwek kwek its signature crispy coating. Here is a simple recipe to make the perfect kwek kwek batter:
Ingredients:
| 1 cup all-purpose flour |
| 1/2 cup cornstarch |
| 1/2 teaspoon baking powder |
| 1/2 teaspoon salt |
| 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper |
| 1 cup water |
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
- Gradually add water to the dry ingredients while stirring. Continue adding water until you achieve a smooth batter consistency.
- Let the batter rest for about 10 minutes. This will allow the dry ingredients to fully absorb the water and will result in a lighter and crispier coating.
Now that you have prepared the kwek kwek batter, you are ready to start cooking the delicious Filipino street food!
Mixing the flour and salt
To begin making kwek kwek, you will first need to mix the flour and salt together. In a mixing bowl, combine one cup of all-purpose flour and half a teaspoon of salt. Use a whisk or fork to thoroughly mix the two ingredients together. Make sure there are no clumps of flour and the salt is evenly distributed. This step is important as it ensures that the flour mixture is well-seasoned and will enhance the flavor of the kwek kwek.
Tips:
– Sifting the flour before mixing it with the salt can help remove any lumps and make it easier to combine.
– If you prefer a slightly saltier taste, you can adjust the amount of salt according to your preference.
– Mixing the flour and salt together beforehand helps to evenly distribute the salt throughout the batter.
Dipping the boiled quail eggs
After boiling the quail eggs, it’s time to give them their vibrant orange color and delicious flavor. Dipping the eggs in a batter is the next step in creating the perfect kwek kwek.
To prepare the batter, you will need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup water
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Gradually add water while whisking the mixture until you achieve a smooth consistency.
Once the batter is ready, heat a deep frying pan or pot with enough cooking oil for deep frying. Take one boiled quail egg with a skewer or toothpick and dip it into the batter, making sure it is fully coated.
Gently place the battered quail egg into the hot oil and let it fry until it turns golden brown. Repeat this process with the rest of the boiled quail eggs, adding them to the oil one by one.
Once all the eggs are fried and have achieved a crispy exterior, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Your boiled quail eggs, now dipped in a flavorful batter, are ready to be enjoyed as kwek kwek. Serve them hot and pair them with a tangy vinegar dipping sauce or your preferred condiments. Enjoy!
Peeling the boiled quail eggs, Dipping the eggs in the batter, Coating the eggs evenly
After boiling the quail eggs until they are fully cooked, you will need to peel them before preparing your kwek kwek. Carefully tap each egg on a hard surface to create small cracks all over the shell. Gently peel off the shell, making sure to remove it completely without damaging the boiled egg.
Step 1: Dipping the eggs in the batter
Once the quail eggs are peeled, prepare the batter for coating. In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Gradually add water while stirring until you achieve a smooth and thick batter consistency.
Take one peeled quail egg and dip it into the batter, making sure it is fully coated. Use a spoon or your hands to ensure that the egg is evenly covered with the batter. Repeat this process for the remaining quail eggs.
Step 2: Coating the eggs evenly
After dipping the eggs in the batter, it’s time to coat them evenly with breadcrumbs. Pour breadcrumbs onto a plate or shallow container. Take a coated quail egg and roll it in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick to the batter. Make sure the egg is thoroughly coated and then place it on a separate clean plate. Repeat this process for all the quail eggs.
Note: To achieve a crispier coating, you can repeat the process of dipping each egg in the batter and coating with breadcrumbs for a second time.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Boiled quail eggs | 1. Peel the boiled eggs. |
| Flour | 2. Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl. |
| Cornstarch | 3. Gradually add water to the flour mixture to create a smooth batter. |
| Salt | 4. Dip each peeled egg into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated. |
| Pepper | 5. Roll the coated eggs in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure even coating. |
| Breadcrumbs | 6. Repeat the process for a second time for a crispier coating (Optional). |
Frying the kwek kwek
Once the kwek kwek batter has set and the oil is heated, it’s time to fry the kwek kwek until they turn golden brown and crispy. Follow these steps to fry the kwek kwek:
- Using a slotted spoon or tongs, carefully lower the kwek kwek into the hot oil. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan, as this will lower the temperature of the oil.
- Allow the kwek kwek to fry for about 3-4 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. You can gently flip them over halfway through the cooking process to ensure even frying.
- Once the kwek kwek are done frying, use the slotted spoon or tongs to transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels. This will help absorb any excess oil.
- Repeat the frying process with the remaining kwek kwek, making sure to maintain the oil temperature.
- Once all the kwek kwek are cooked, serve them hot with a dipping sauce of your choice, such as vinegar or spicy tomato ketchup.
Enjoy your delicious homemade kwek kwek!
Heating the cooking oil
Start by heating a sufficient amount of cooking oil in a deep frying pan or pot. The oil should be hot enough to deep fry the eggs and make them crispy on the outside.
Deep-frying the eggs
Once the oil is hot, take each quail egg and dip it into the prepared batter. Make sure to coat the egg evenly with the batter. Gently place the coated egg into the hot oil using a slotted spoon or tongs. Repeat this step for the remaining quail eggs, but make sure not to overcrowd the pan/pot to ensure even cooking.
Turning the eggs for even cooking
As the eggs cook, you can use a slotted spoon or tongs to gently turn them over for even cooking. This will help the eggs to cook evenly on all sides and achieve a golden brown color. Once the eggs are crisp and golden brown all over, remove them from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
FAQ
What is kwek kwek?
Kwek kwek is a popular Filipino street food made with hard-boiled quail eggs coated in orange batter and deep-fried until crispy. It is typically served with a sweet and tangy vinegar dipping sauce.
Where can I buy quail eggs for kwek kwek?
You can find quail eggs in most Asian grocery stores or specialty food markets. If you can’t find them locally, you may also be able to order them online.
What is the batter made of?
The batter for kwek kwek is made from a mixture of flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and water. Some recipes also call for orange food coloring to give the eggs a vibrant color.
Can I use chicken eggs instead of quail eggs?
Yes, you can use chicken eggs instead of quail eggs if you prefer. However, the cooking time may need to be adjusted since chicken eggs are larger and take longer to cook through.
How long should I deep-fry the kwek kwek?
The kwek kwek should be deep-fried for about 2-3 minutes, or until the batter is golden brown and crispy. Be sure to flip the eggs halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
What is kwek kwek?
Kwek kwek is a popular Filipino street food made with quail eggs coated in orange batter and deep-fried until crispy.
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