Arepas

Kathy228's Note:

This arepa dough uses the brand P.A.N. a precooked cornmeal available at any Hispanic grocer. Unlike traditional arepas, these are "fluffy" due to the addition of eggs and baking powder. Fill them with cheese, taco meat mixture, tuna, smoked sausage, scrambled eggs, anything you like. Got this recipe from a Venezulean friend.

• Total Time: 28 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 8 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 4-6

Yield: 6.0 arepas

• 2 cups precooked cornmeal (P.A.N. Harina de Maiz)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 cup shredded cheese

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, add cornmeal, salt, pepper, baking powder. Mix well.
2. Add the cheese (eg: jack, mozzarella, cheddar, or combination)and combine well.
3. With a fork, stir in boiling water.
4. Add eggs.
5. Mix with a fork until dough leaves the side of the bowl.
6. Knead dough with your hands only enough to form a ball.
7. About 3/4 cup of dough makes one arepa.
8. Flatten balls and fry in a lightly greased pan until golden.
9. Or cook in arepa cooker until arepas sound hollow when tapped.
10. Let cool slightly and serve.
11. TO EAT: Split like an Eng. muffin and with a spoon, scoop-out the fluffy cornmeal insides then fill the shells with anything you like. The scooped-out cornmeal can be eaten with a fork or discarded. Or don't scoop them out it's your preference.

Reviews

[gfcdn]

I made these this morning with Instanst Corn Masa Mix for Tamales (masa harina) as I had seen in another recipe. Mine certainly were not fluffy. I'm not sure the baking powder does anything because it acts with liquids and heat. The rise action would happen with the addition of the boiling water, then the kneading would flatten it just the way a cake falls in an oven. I will try this again with P.A.N. Precooked cornmeal.

[LexiMStL]

Well I know these aren't anything like traditional Venezuelan arepas, but come on guys, the author clearly states that! These are a fun twist if you're tired of having the same old arepa every day, and it might be a great way to do arepa dulce, just don't make them for your Venezuelan mother-in-law! =P

[Chef Lorán]

Well, Kathy228 dear, I have yet to try this quite unortodox-wild twist version of which I never heard in my entire long and happy Venezuelan life, but the recipe sounds fashion! Arepa making is way much simpler and still yummy! Thanks Kathy228 for posting it.