Arepas, a traditional dish from Colombia and Venezuela, are round savory corn cakes made with a precooked corn flour known as Masarepa. They are very easy to make and can be served for breakfast, as an afternoon snack or a light dinner. Most households used to mill their own corn to make the Masarepa; nowadays they buy the arepa flour.
Masarepa has a mild corn flavor, it’s naturally GLUTEN-FREE and it’s available to purchase in our store. We carry the most popular brand P.A.N. in the yellow and white corn varieties.
While many Colombian households make arepas fresh every day, it is also possible to make a large batch and freeze them for up to a month. To freeze, place them in an airtight container with parchment paper in between to prevent them from sticking. Do not store the raw dough as it may ferment.
Now let’s check out a recipe to make delicious cheese Arepas:
Ingredients:
• 2 cups P.A.N. Masarepa
• 1 cup water, plus more as necessary
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (optional to make them tender)
• Kosher salt
• 1/2-pound white cheese, Queso Blanco – sliced or grated
• 2 teaspoons butter
Serving: 4 Arepas
Total time: 30 min
Nutrition Facts per serving: Calories 269/ Fat 7g / Carbs 47g/ Protein 7g
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine Masarepa, water, and vegetable oil (if using) in a medium bowl and mix with hands until a dough is formed. Take a small amount and flatten it between your palms. If the edges crack, knead in more water, 1 tablespoon at a time until dough is smooth but not sticky. Season dough to taste with salt, then cover and set aside for 5 minutes.
- ivide dough into 8 even pieces and roll into balls. Use a cutting board with a sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper on top of it and flatten each ball down and make them round about 5 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick.
- lace 1/4 of cheese into center of one disk, leaving a 1/2-inch gap all around.
- lace a second disk on top and carefully seal the edges all around.
- se one hand to shape the edges of the arepa so that it is an even round disk.
- elt butter in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add arepas and cook, rotating them occasionally, until first side gets some spots, and a dry crust has formed, about 5 minutes. Flip arepas and cook on second side until a dry crust has formed, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer to a baking sheet and place in oven until heated through and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
- erve and enjoy!!
Note: Arepas can also be cooked on a grill over low heat
Don’t forget to stop by Riverview Fresh Market and include Masarepa and Queso Blanco (white cheese) in your shopping list to prepare delicious arepas at home. Be creative and fill them with other ingredients or your favorite protein! Visit Us!
