A quick and easy-to-make authentic Filipino street food that is made with hard-boiled quail eggs coated in orange batter and fried to deliciousness!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time18 minutesmins
Total Time28 minutesmins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Filipino
Servings: 17kwek kweks
Calories: 4990kcal
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Ingredients
5organic eggs
12quail eggs
1 ½cups all purpose flour
3tablespoonsannatto powderdivided
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonpepper
2-3cupswater
⅛cupscornstarch
2cupsvegetable oil
Vinegar Sauce
½cupvinegarwhite or cane vinegar
2tablespoonssoy sauce
1tablespoonsugaradjust to taste
1-2clovesgarlicminced
1small onionfinely chopped (optional)
1-2red or green chili pepperssliced (optional for heat)
1teaspoonsaltadjust to taste
¼teaspoonblack pepper
Instructions
Boil the eggs to your preferred level of doneness.
Prepare the Batter:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, 2 tablespoons of annatto powder, salt, and pepper.
Gradually add water while whisking or stirring with a fork until the batter is smooth and orange.
For a more vivid orange color, add an additional tablespoon of annatto powder.
Coat the Eggs:
Place cornstarch on a plate.
Dredge each boiled and peeled quail egg in the cornstarch to coat them lightly.
Dip in Batter:
Dip each cornstarch-coated egg into the prepared orange batter until fully covered.
Repeat until all eggs are coated.
Heat the Oil:
In a deep pan, heat about 2 inches (approximately 2 cups) of oil over medium heat to 350°F (175°C).
Fry the Eggs:
Carefully drop the battered eggs into the hot oil.
Deep fry for about 3-4 minutes, or until the batter turns golden orange.
Drain and Serve:
Using a slotted spoon, remove the eggs from the oil.
Drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet or on a plate lined with paper towels.
Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce.
Vinegar Sauce:
Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl or saucepan, mix the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
Add Aromatics: If using, add minced garlic, chopped onion, and sliced chili peppers to the mixture.
Heat (Optional): If you prefer a more integrated flavor, gently heat the mixture over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar and salt. Remove from heat and let it cool.
Cool and Serve: Allow the sauce to cool completely before serving with your kwek-kwek. Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.