Shrimp Stuffed 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.

FLOUNDER WITH SHRIMP STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. In a large skillet, melt butter. Add onion, celery and green pepper; saute until tender. Add shrimp; cook and stir until shrimp turn pink. Add broth, pimientos, Worcestershire sauce, dill, chives, salt and cayenne; heat through. Remove from heat; stir in bread crumbs., Spoon about 1/2 cup stuffing onto each fillet; roll up. Place seam side down in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Drizzle with butter and lemon juice. Sprinkle with seasonings. Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

STUFFED SHRIMP

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, horseradish and Parmesan cheese until blended. Cut a small hole in the corner of a resealable plastic bag; add cream cheese mixture. Butterfly the shrimp along the outside curves. Pipe about 1 teaspoon cream cheese mixture into each shrimp. , Arrange on a serving platter. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with seafood sauce if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

BAKED STUFFED SHRIMP

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix crushed crackers, bread crumbs and garlic powder. In a small bowl, blend butter and Worcestershire sauce. Mix blended butter, pepper and Parmesan cheese into the cracker mixture. Stir in white wine, using only enough to hold together the mixture.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Butterfly the shrimp using a sharp knife, and arrange back side up in a large baking dish. Stuff shrimp with heaping tablespoons of the cracker mixture.
• Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until cracker mixture is lightly browned, shrimp are opaque, and the tails have curled.

SHRIMP-STUFFED AREPAS

Steps:

• Blend water and corn in blender until smooth; pour into large bowl. Add masa harina and milk; stir until mixture forms soft dough. Divide into 6 portions; flatten each to 5-inch round. Cook on large griddle on medium-high heat 12 min. or until both sides are golden brown, turning occasionally.
• Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add peppers and garlic; cook and stir 1 min. Stir in shrimp; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until shrimp turn pink. Add tomatoes, cilantro and lime juice; mix lightly. Remove from heat.
• Split arepas; fill with cheese, shrimp mixture and avocados.

AREPAS STUFFED WITH CHILES, CHORIZO AND CORN

Steps:

• For the filling: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
• In a bowl, toss the poblano peppers with the canola oil. Place on the grill along with the scallions and corn and cook, turning occasionally, until the vegetables are nicely charred.
• Immediately place the peppers in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes to sweat and soften. Chop the charred scallions and put them into a large bowl. Cut the corn kernels off the ear and add to the bowl. Peel the skins off the peppers, finely chop and then add them to the corn and scallions. Stir in the goat cheese and Parmesan.
• Heat a large saute pan on the grill, add the chorizo and cook until the oils are released and the chorizo is slightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chorizo to the poblano-cheese mixture and gently fold together. Set aside until ready to use.
• For the arepas: Combine the masa flour and salt in a large bowl. Pour in 2 1/2 cups hot water and, using a wooden spoon, stir to combine. Add in the melted butter, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Divide the dough into 12 small balls. Place each ball in between two pieces of plastic wrap and flatten using a heavy-bottomed skillet or tortilla press to about 3 1/2 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick.
• Heat the canola oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Fry the arepas until lightly browned--they should have a nice crust on the outside but still be soft inside--about 5 minutes per side.
• Using a sharp knife, slice the arepas in half, similar to an English muffin. Stuff 1 to 2 teaspoons of the filling inside each. Garnish with some chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.