Mexican Arepas Recipes

CHEESE-STUFFED AREPAS

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Stir together 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Gradually add the corn meal into the water, using your fingers to stir and combine, until a soft and moist dough forms.
• Divide the dough into 8 golf ball-size balls and pat each into a patty about 5-inches wide and 1/4-inch-thick.
• Put a cube of mozzarella in the center of each patty. Fold the dough over the cheese, making sure the cheese is completely covered and sealed. Pat it back down until 3-inches wide and 1/2-inch-thick (see Cook's Note).
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat until shimmering. Working in batches, cook the corn patties, until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side (making sure the oil is hot for each batch). Transfer to a cooling rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the edges are crisp and golden, about 10 minutes.

AREPAS DE QUESO

Steps:

• Shred 3 ounces of the mozzarella and cut remaining 5 ounces into 1/2-inch cubes. Transfer shredded cheese to a large bowl and cubed cheese to a medium bowl.
• Add cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and warm water to the shredded cheese and mix to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow cornmeal to absorb liquid. The mixture should resemble soft Play-Doh.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).
• With damp palms and fingers, place 1/4 cup arepa mixture into your palm and flatten into a 2 1/2-inch disk. Place 3 to 4 cubes of the mozzarella into the center. Gently fold edges of dough over to cover mozzarella cubes completely, patting to form a cake. Repeat until all dough and cheese has been used.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 3 or 4 arepas and cook until both sides are golden brown and charred in spots, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove to a parchment-lined baking sheet and season with a pinch of the remaining salt. Place in the preheated oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining oil, arepas, and salt.

COLOMBIAN AREPAS

Steps:

• Mix water, corn meal, mozzarella cheese, butter, and salt together in a large bowl. Knead until mixed well and the dough has a soft consistency. Form balls the size of a medium orange and place them between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Flatten with a rolling pin to your desired thickness.
• Cut the dough into circles using a cereal bowl or drinking glass, lip-down, through the plastic wrap. Remove the plastic wrap and remove excess dough.
• Coat a griddle with cooking spray and heat to medium-high. Add arepas and grill until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Serve immediately.

AREPAS

Steps:

• Combine arepa flour and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center and add 2 1/2 cups warm water. Using a wooden spoon, gradually incorporate dry ingredients, stirring until no dry lumps remain. Let rest 5 minutes to hydrate.
• Knead dough a few times in bowl, then divide into 8 pieces. Roll each piece on work surface into a ball, then gently flatten to about 1/2" thick.
• Heat 1 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 4 arepas, cover, and cook until golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Uncover, flip, and cook (keep uncovered) until other side is golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Transfer arepas to a wire rack.
• Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoons oil and dough.
• Split arepas and stuff with desired fillings; serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.

AREPAS

Steps:

• Put the cornmeal in a food processor and grind until fine.
• Put the cornmeal in a large bowl with the salt and cheese.
• In a small saucepan heat the milk over medium heat until it comes to a steady simmer.
• Add the butter to the pan and stir until melted.
• Take pan off the heat and add to the cornmeal mixture to form a thick batter.
• Fold in the corn kernels.
• Let the batter rest about 15 minutes to thicken into a soft dough.
• Form 1 inch balls from the dough and flatten with the palm of your hand into 1/4 inch thick disks.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet and cook the arepas until golden brown, about 5 minutes on the first side and 3 minutes on the other, working in batches until done.
• Serve hot with butter.

HOMEMADE AREPAS

Steps:

• Stir water and salt together in a bowl. Gradually stir corn meal into water with your fingers until mixture forms a soft, moist, malleable dough.
• Divide dough into 8 golf ball-size balls and pat each one into a patty about 3/8-inch thick.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Working in batches, cook corn patties in hot oil until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer cooked arepas to a paper towel-lined plate to drain until cool enough to handle.
• Slice halfway through each cake horizontally with a thin serrated knife to form a pita-like pocket.

COLOMBIAN AREPAS WITH HAM AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Making the Arepas:.
• I a large bowl combine masa with cheese,baking soda and salt. Slowly pour the warm water in and stir well. Using your hands,knead until smooth dough forms. Form into 6 even balls,flatten into circles, about 4 inches in diameter.In a cast iron skillet or flat top grill, melt half of the butter on medium heat.
• Working in batches,if necessary,cook Arepas until golden brown, about 3 minutes.Add remaining butter,turn Arepas and cook 2-3 minutes until golden. Set aside.
• Making the Sandwich:.
• Slice the arepas in half horizontally. Layer on the ham,cheese and tomato, season with salt and pepper. Top fixings with remaining Arepas halves. Heat half the butterin a skillet or flat top grill. Cook Arepas in batches,about 3 minutes, until golden. Add remaining butter,turn,cover and cook 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and Arepasare golden. Serve with Salsa on the side.

VENEZUELAN AREPAS

Steps:

• Pre heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Lightly grease and heat flat griddle or frying pan on medium high.
• Add water to a medium bowl.
• Dissolve sugar and salt in water. You want a mild flavor, not too salty but enough to taste it.
• Add the Harina P.A.N little by little as you mix with your hands.
• Stop adding the corn meal just before the mix becomes solid. It should be the consistency of a thick pancake batter at this stage.
• Continue to stir vigorously with your hands until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and forms a very soft ball. Sprinkle additional corn meal into the mix if the dough doesn't firm up at all.
• Pick up the dough and slap it down back into the bowl a few times to speed up the process. Note: the dough should never become as firm as a ball of bread dough or pizza dough. There is no real kneading involved.
• When the dough forms a nice, moist ball, break off a small piece and work it in your hands rolling it into a small ball (about 1-2 inches) and then gently flattening it so it is about 3 inches across and 1/2inch tall. Note: if the dough cracks on the edges when you flatten it, it is too dry. Wet your hands and try again.
• Place the arepa on the preheated griddle and continue forming the rest in the same manner.
• Flip the arepas just before they are about to burn, when the bottom is golden brown. Allow them to brown on the other side.
• At this point the arepas are done, but for an added touch of authenticity, place the arepas into the preheated over directly onto the racks and allow them to bake for 10-15 minutes or until they puff up.
• Slice open and fill with butter, cheese, meat or anything else!

FAMILY AREPAS AS MADE BY CESAR RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375˚F (190˚C)
• In a large bowl, combine the warm water and salt. Stir until the salt is dissolved.
• Slowly add the arepa flour while stirring. Adjust the consistency as needed by adding more water or flour. The dough is ready when it pulls away from the sides of the bowl and doesn't stick to your fingers.
• Grab a fist-sized ball of the dough and pass it from one hand to the other to pat into an even, flattened round. Pay attention to the edges so as to not leave cracks.
• Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the arepas, flipping once, until golden brown in color, 5-7 minutes on each side
• Transfer the arepas to the oven and cook for 15 minutes.
• Make the chicken avocado salad: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded rotisserie chicken, avocados, lime juice, onion, bell pepper, garlic, mayonnaise, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
• Cut the arepas in half and stuff with the chicken avocado salad or your favorite fillings.
• Enjoy!