Brik is a beloved Tunisian pastry whose paper-thin shell turns crisp around a savory tuna-and-egg filling.
Each parcel is folded just before frying so the wrapper stays delicate and the yolk can remain softly set.
Fill and fry one brik at a time because the thin pastry softens quickly around the raw egg.
Serving Suggestions
Serve straight from the skillet with lemon wedges, harissa, and a simple chopped salad.
Recipe Notes
Brik is best eaten immediately; refrigerate leftover filling separately for up to two days.
Tunisian Brik
Crisp Tunisian malsouka pastry filled with tuna, egg, capers, parsley, onion, and harissa.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Slotted spoon
- Mixing bowl
- Sheet pan
- Paper towels
Ingredients
Filling
- 12 oz canned tuna in olive oil drained and flaked
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped
- 2 tbsp capers rinsed and chopped
- 2 tbsp harissa
- 1/2 tsp fine salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Pastry and Frying
- 8 whole malsouka or brik pastry sheets
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups neutral oil for shallow-frying
- 2 whole lemons cut into wedges
Instructions
Mix the Filling:
- Combine the tuna, onion, parsley, capers, harissa, salt, and pepper. Keep the mixture loose rather than compacting it.
- Warm the oil in a wide skillet over medium heat until a small pastry scrap sizzles gently.
Fill and Fry:
- Place one pastry sheet on a plate. Spoon one-eighth of the tuna mixture on one half, make a shallow well, and crack an egg into it. Fold the pastry over into a half-moon.
- Slide the brik carefully into the oil and fry for 60 to 90 seconds per side until patchy golden and crisp while the yolk remains soft. Drain briefly on paper towels.
- Repeat with the remaining sheets, filling each only when the oil is ready so the pastry does not soften.
Serve:
- Serve the brik immediately with lemon wedges and additional harissa at the table.
Notes
- Malsouka dries quickly, so keep unused sheets covered with a barely damp towel.
- For a firmer yolk, fry each side about 30 seconds longer over slightly lower heat.
Nutrition
Calories: 470kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 31gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 410mgSodium: 780mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g