Arepas, originally from Venezuela where they are eaten at every meal, are small cornmeal scones whose cooking begins in a pan and ends in the oven. They can be enjoyed alone or stuffed with delicious fillings. Read on and find out how to prepare and stuff arepas with different recipes.
Ingrediants
- 250 g of corn flour
- 480 ml of water
- 1 pinch of salt
- Fry oil
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare the Arepas
Step 1. Blend the ingredients
In a large bowl, pour the cornmeal and salt. Use your fingers or a whisk to mix the two ingredients. Measure 480 ml of hot water and gradually incorporate it into the flour.
- If possible, follow the original Venezuelan recipe and buy pre-cooked cornmeal. It is a gluten-free and preservative-free flour available in both white and yellow.
- If this type of flour is not available in the area where you live, replace it with finely ground cornmeal or wheat flour.
Step 2. Knead the dough
Use your hands to knead the flour and water until the mixture is soft and elastic. Continue to knead it until the lumps are eliminated, then form a compact ball.
- If the dough feels too wet, add a few tablespoons of flour and continue kneading.
- If the dough tends to separate easily, add a tablespoon or two of hot water. Continue adding water until it reaches the correct consistency.
Step 3. Model the arepas
Take a handful of dough in your hands and shape it into a ball, then press it with your palms to form a scone. Give it about 1 - 1.5 cm thick and 7.5 - 10 cm in diameter, depending on your needs. Arrange your first arepa on a baking sheet and continue to shape the dough until you have finished it.
- If you want to keep the arepas to cook them later, cover them with cling film and place them in the refrigerator; they will also last 3 or 4 days.
- If you wish, you can also freeze them. Wrap each arepa in plastic wrap and then place them in a sealable food bag. You can also keep them for several months.
Step 4. Use the oven rack, which holds the arepas about 2.5cm from the heat-sending element of the oven, in the traditional Colombian manner
Step 5. Preheat the oven to 250 ° C
Do this when you are ready to cook the arepas, before you start frying them. Before putting the arepas in the oven, the oven should be hot.
Step 6. Fry the arepas
In a preferably cast iron skillet, heat a generous spoonful of oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, place a few arepas in the pan and let them fry for about 3 to 4 minutes, so that a crust forms on the underside. Turn them over and fry them on the other side until golden and crispy. Transfer them to the baking tray and continue cooking the remaining arepas.
Step 7. Bake the arepas in the oven
After you have fried all the scones and placed them on the pan, put them in the hot oven. Cook them for 15 minutes. When you think they are ready, remove them from the oven and tap the surface. If they seem empty from the noise emitted, it means that they are ready.
Step 8. Slice the arepas
Divide them horizontally in half with a sharp knife and then use the filling of your choice.
Part 2 of 2: Stuff the Arepas
Step 1. Make a filling for breakfast
Often, in Venezuela, arepas are served for breakfast, stuffed with ham and cheese. Choose your favorite quality of ham and accompany it with a cheese of your choice.
- Arepas are excellent stuffed with stracchino, squacquerone or mozzarella.
- For a less traditional but equally delicious breakfast, try stuffing them with scrambled eggs and a sauce of your choice.
Step 2. Prepare the arepas for a snack
They are often eaten alone or stuffed with cheese for a really tasty snack. Experiment with one of the following fillings:
- Chicken and avocado salad. Combine the minced chicken, mayonnaise, sliced onions and diced celery. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread your filling on one half of the arepa and add a few slices of avocado, then top with the second part of the muffin.
- Black beans and sauce. Spread the black bean sauce or whole black beans over one half of the arepa, add a spicy sauce. If you like, make your snack even richer with a few slices of cheese.
Step 3. Make the Pabellón arepas
After the arepas, Pabellón Criollo is the most loved dish by Venezuelans. The combination of the two flavors is a delicacy. Make Pabellón arepas with the following ingredients:
- Shredded beef, black beans, and fried plantains. This is the most classic version.
- Top the beef, beans, and plantain with a fried egg and cheese to bring the taste to its peak.
