Arepas- Venezuelan Corn Cakes

Arepas stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese and salsa.

Arepas stuffed with refried beans, shredded chicken, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, onion, and guacamole.

I recently met Fannie, whose son takes a Tae Kwon Do class with mine. She is from Venezuela and shared with me the recipe for Arepas, a staple in her country. They are corn cakes that vary in size and thickness from region to region and country to country. They are easy to make and you can eat them plain or stuff them with anything! I tried a breakfast version with scrambled eggs, cheese and salsa. I also made one with refried beans, shredded chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, and guacamole. Next time I make hamburgers I am going to try one on an arepas!

2 c. arepa flour * see note

1 tsp. salt

2 1/2 c. luke warm water

olive oil for cooking

Combine water, salt, and flour and stir into a soft dough. Knead with wet hands for 3-5 minutes or until dough is smooth and uniform. It should be moist but not sticky. Pull off a piece of dough about the size of an egg and shape into a disc about the size of your palm and 1/2 inch thick.

Grease a heated skillet (cast iron or very heavy pan) with a generous amount of olive oil and place arepas on a few at a time. Cook over medium low heat turning until outsides are barely browned and a crust forms. Place on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, turning once. Arepas are done when you tap them and hear a hollow sound. Slit open one side or cut completely in half and stuff with your choice of filling.

*Note:

Arepa flour is a precooked corn flour and should not be confused with masa harina. Arepa flour is sold as masarepa, harina precocida, or masa al intante. It can be found in Latin American groceries or online at http://www.latinmerchant.com/productdetail.asp?ProductID=F0012

PAN brand Arepas Flour- Available in white or yellow corn

Arepas just after coming out of the oven.