Maribel Araujo And Aristides Barrioss Pabellon Arepa Recipes

AREMPAS PABELLóN AREPA

Steps:

• For the Shredded Beef: Cut the beef into small pieces. Add to a large pot along with the green onions and garlic. Add enough water to cover the beef. Bring to a boil, lower to a high simmer and cook until the beef is tender, about 3 hours. (Add more water as needed.)
• Once tender, reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid and drain the beef, discard the green onion and garlic. Shred the beef and add back to the pot. Add the Sofrito (see recipe below), sazon, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, cilantro and the reserved 1 cup of cooking liquid. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Set the beef aside.
• For the Plantains: Add enough oil to a large saucepan so it comes up about halfway up the side. Attach a deep fat-fry thermometer and bring to 350 degrees F. Peel the plantain and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices on the diagonal. Fry batches in the hot oil until golden brown turning as needed, about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
• For the Beans: Add the beans, sofrito (see recipe below), garlic powder, Italian seasoning, sazon, salt and cilantro to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, enough for the beans to heat and the flavors to meld, about 6 minutes.
• For the Dough: Follow the package instructions on the bag of precooked cornmeal to make enough dough for 6 arepas (see Cook's Note).
• To shape the arepas, grab a portion of dough big enough to fit in your hand and roll it into a ball. Begin to flatten it like the shape and size of a hamburger patty.
• Add enough oil to a large skillet to just coat the bottom. Heat over medium-high. Add as many arepas as you can to skillet without overcrowding. Cook until golden, 5 minutes per side. Repeat if needed.
• Build the arepas: Insert a small, sharp knife into the edge of an arepa and work it slowly to open up a pocket. Once opened, stuff with some shredded beef, then some plantains, then some beans and finally cheese at the very top. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Take a big bite and enjoy! This is going to be messy but sooo delicious.
• Finely chop the green onions, garlic, yellow onion and pepper together. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable mixture and cook, stirring, until the onion is soft and translucent. Cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

MARIBEL ARAUJO AND ARISTIDES BARRIOS'S PABELLON AREPA

Steps:

• To cook the beef, put it in a medium pot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, until just tender, about 3 hours, adding more water if needed to cover.
• Meanwhile, cook the black beans: Combine the beans with the onion, bell pepper, garlic, cumin, and Panela in a large pot and add cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer, uncovered, until tender, about 3 hours.
• Remove the beef to a plate and let it cool slightly; reserve the cooking broth. Once it is cool enough to handle, shred the beef into bite-size pieces.
• Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Add the onion, red bell peppers, and jalapeños, and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the Panela and cook until the vegetables become slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add the Worcestershire and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and 2 cups of the reserved cooking broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly reduced, about 7 minutes. Add the butter and cook until melted. Add the beef and cook until just warmed through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the mixture is a little too dry, add more of the reserved broth.
• To cook the plantains, heat a scant 1/4 inch of oil in a deep skillet to 375°F. Slice the plantains on the diagonal into 1/4-inch-thick slices, and fry them, turning occasionally, until they are caramelized and dark brown, about 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from the skillet and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• To make the arepas, preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Combine 7 1/2 cups lukewarm water and the salt in a large bowl and stir until the salt dissolves. Add the flour slowly, and mix with your hands until the dough comes together. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and knead until smooth. Shape into a ball and let rest for 3 minutes.
• Remove a small piece of dough and roll it into a ball; if the dough cracks slightly, add a little more water, continue kneading, and let rest again. Once you reach the perfect texture, add the oil and knead it into the dough for a couple of minutes until blended. Using wet hands, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and form each piece into a ball. Form the balls into flat round cakes about 1-inch thick and 5 inches in diameter.
• Heat about 2 tablespoons oil on a griddle or in a large frying pan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Fry 4 arepas at a time until golden brown on each side, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet. When all of the arepas have been cooked, bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
• Season the beans with salt and pepper. Slice the arepas in half, and stuff them with the beans, beef, plantains, and cheese.