| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 15 mins – 20 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 272 | 5g | 2g | 46g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 1g | 4g | 8g | 0.4g |
About Arepa
An Arepa is an unabashed lover of simplicity. A world-renowned cornbread whose ingredient list might deceive you with its brevity. Do not be fooled, for sometimes, the simplest things in life give us the fullest pleasure. And our dear Arepa, a Venezuelan and Colombian delicacy is here to offer nothing less.
Akin to the English Muffin and Mexican gorditas in texture but with a flavor that is utterly unique, the Arepa is essentially a cake made from pre-cooked white cornmeal, warm water, salt, vegetable oil, and often includes mozzarella cheese. With a crispy exterior and an impossibly soft, steaming interior that can be hollowed out and filled, the Arepa is arguably another name for “comfort”.
Flexible Feast
If you’re familiar with the corn muffin or the English muffin, you’re on the right track towards understanding this treat. It’s a bit like the former with its lightness, and the latter with its denseness. Like the former, it’s a joy in and of itself, and like the latter, it serves as an admirable base for an array of fillings. At the same time, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever had, for its taste is deeply rooted in the traditions and culture of Colombia and Venezuela, with the power to whisk you away to the South American continent with each bite.
Perfect Pairings
Arepa’s simplicity allows it to function as a blank canvas, and hence make the perfect companion to a wide array of dishes. As breakfast, enjoy Arepas with a cup of piping hot coffee, or as a snack, slathered with a layer of butter, just melted enough to seep into its warm interior, creating pockets of lush delight.
Enjoy Arepas as sandwiches, split in half and stuffed with delectable ingredients such as cheese, ham, shredded beef, or even avocado. A popular Venezuelan dish, “Reina Pepiada” which is a version of the Arepa filled with avocado and chicken salad, is a match made in heaven. Arepas also play nicely with grilled meat, like the Colombian barbecue staple, “chuzos”, or, you can drown them in hogao – a Colombian creole sauce – for a typical dish known as “Arepas con Hogao”.
Upon tasting an Arepa, you may find yourself drawn into its beautiful narrative of warmth, resiliency, and comfort. And isn’t that the story we all seek in food?
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups Pre-cooked White Corn Meal (P.A.N. is a popular brand)
- 2.5 cups Warm Water
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (Optional)
- Butter for serving (Optional)
Method
Step One
In a big bowl, combine the pre-cooked white corn meal and salt.
Step Two
Slowly pour the warm water into the bowl, stirring consistently until there are no lumps in the mixture. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, so the corn meal can fully absorb the water.
Step Three
Add the vegetable oil and knead the mixture until it becomes smooth and doesn’t stick to your hands. If you decided to use mozzarella cheese, you can add it in this step and knead it into the dough.
Step Four
Divide the dough into equal rounds (about 8 to 10, depending on your preferred size) and shape into small patties around 1/2 inch thick.
Step Five
Heat a frying pan or griddle over medium heat. Once it’s hot, place the arepas in. Cook for about 4 to 6 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown.
Step Six
(Optional) Slice the hot arepas and slather butter and a bit of salt. They can also be stuffed with additional cheese if you like. Serve the Arepas hot. Enjoy your meal!
