Caldo de Bolas is a stuffed plantain dumpling soup found throughout Ecuador. The dumplings don't traditionally contain flour, but we found them lighter and easier to handle with some added. Use plantains that are heavily mottled and will turn black within a day or two.

Recipe by Cooking Light April 2004

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Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Recipe Summary

Yield:
6 servings (serving size: 2/3 cup soup and 2 bolas)
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Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

Directions

Instructions Checklist
  • To prepare filling, cook 1/4 cup onion, 1/4 cup bell pepper, and beef in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Add garlic, and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in 1/4 cup broth, raisins, and peanut butter. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick. Set aside.

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  • To prepare soup, heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup onion and 2/3 cup bell pepper; sauté 5 minutes or until browned. Add 3 1/4 cups broth, water, cumin, salt, tomatoes, and jalapeño; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; add plantains, and simmer 15 minutes or until plantains are tender. Remove plantains from soup; let cool slightly.

  • Place plantains in a large bowl; mash with a potato masher until smooth. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add flour to mashed plantains; stir until combined. Add egg; stir until combined. Turn dough out onto a floured surface; knead 3 times. Divide dough into 12 equal portions, shaping each portion into a ball. Working with 1 portion at a time (cover remaining dough to prevent drying), place dough on a floured surface. Flatten; make an indention in center using thumb. Spoon about 1 tablespoon beef mixture into indention. Gather edges to encase filling, pinching to seal. Gently roll, using both hands, to form a ball. Repeat procedure with remaining dough and beef mixture. Gently drop balls into simmering broth; cover and cook 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Nutrition Facts

296 calories; calories from fat 33%; fat 10.8g; saturated fat 3.4g; mono fat 4.3g; poly fat 1.8g; protein 14.7g; carbohydrates 37.4g; fiber 4g; cholesterol 61mg; iron 2.8mg; sodium 283mg; calcium 48mg.
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