kwek-kwek

Kwek-Kwek are deep fried orange quail eggs. It is one of the most popular Filipino street foods and a favorite by many. The quail eggs are covered in bright orange-colored batter and then deep fried until the batter is crispy. Usually served with vinegar sauce or a much better sauce which is a sweet and sour brown sauce. 

​Kwek-kwek is sold along the streets with Fish Balls. If you are skeptical about the street food being clean, why not make your own at home? 

They are actually very easy to make and they are delicious! On this recipe, I used annatto powder dissolved in water  to avoid food color. But it is up to you. If annatto powder is not available, you can omit the powder and make the water 1 cup instead of 3/4 cup. You can also combine yellow and red food color if orange is not available. Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think by leaving a comment below. Enjoy. 

kwek-kwek recipe

Ingredients:

• 20 pieces or more quail eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4  cup cornstarch
• 1/2 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 tsp annatto powder + 1/4 cup warm water
• orange food color (optional) 
• cornstarch for dredging

​video

Procedure:

• In a large sauce pan, place the quail eggs and fill with water (enough to cover the eggs). Set the heat to high. Cover and bring to a boil. Once the water begins to simmer, lightly roll the eggs around the pot. (Rolling moves the yolk into the center of the egg. Boil for 3-4 minutes. Drain the water and fill the pot with ice cold water.  Set aside.
• Dissolve annatto powder in warm water. Set aside. 
• In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, water and dissolved annatto. Stir well to combine.
• Add more food color if desired.
• Crack the eggs and peel off the shell. Pat dry with paper towels then dredge in cornstarch. 
• Heat cooking oil in a deep pot. 
• Poke the egg with a bamboo skewer and dip in batter. Use a spoon to push the battered quail eggs into the hot oil.
• Deep fry for about 3 minutes or until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
• Serve with vinegar sauce which is a combination of vinegar, chopped red onion, salt and pepper. Or serve with Fish Balls sauce which I like better than vinegar. Click HERE for the FISH BALLS SAUCE recipe.

​

Vinegar Sauce
​Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vinegar, (best if we use apple cider)
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt or more
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 of small red onion, diced

​

you may also like: