Best 5 Arepas Reina Pepiada Recipes

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Arepas, a traditional Venezuelan dish, are a type of flatbread made from ground maize or cornmeal. They can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, and one of the most popular is the Reina Pepiada, which is named after the former beauty queen Susana Duijm. This recipe typically includes a combination of cooked chicken, avocado, mayonnaise, and other vegetables, and is a delicious and satisfying meal that is easy to make.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

REINA PEPIADA AREPAS (AREPAS WITH CHICKEN-AVOCADO SALAD)



Reina Pepiada Arepas (Arepas with Chicken-Avocado Salad) image

My family, like most Venezuelan families, has been eating arepas for as long as I can remember. It felt like there was a never-ending supply of these white corn cakes when we lived in Venezuela -- we ate them with every meal, every day. My parents had plain arepas with their morning coffee, we would have them on the side if there was soup for lunch, and with whatever meat and rice we were eating for dinner (they come in very handy when trying to wipe deliciousness off a plate at the end of a meal). We also stuff them with our favorite fillings to have as sandwiches. When we moved to the States, there were a couple of years when I thought I was too cool for arepas, but my mother insisted on making them every Sunday to preserve our traditions and culture. Now I'm so grateful that she did. This is how she makes them.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 arepas

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups arepa flour (pre-cooked white cornmeal; see Cook's Note), such as P.A.N.
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
Canola or vegetable oil, for greasing
Reina Pepiada (Chicken-Avocado Salad), optional, recipe follows
1 large ripe avocado, halved, pitted and peeled
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 medium white or red onion, finely diced
2 cups packed shredded cooked chicken (about 11 ounces; I like to use either cooked chicken thighs or store-bought rotisserie chicken with the skin removed)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro, optional
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
Hot sauce, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Combine the arepa flour with the salt in a large bowl. Spread your fingers apart and make a claw with one hand and start circling the flour mixture while adding 1/2 cup water with your other hand. Make a fist a couple of times to bring the clumps of dough together, then squeeze to break apart any remaining larger dough pebbles. Repeat 3 more times, adding 1/2 cup water each time (for 2 cups water total) to the dry spots of the dough, squeezing out the pebbles, and combining the larger clumps.
  • After the final addition of water, bring the dough together and incorporate any flour left in the bowl. Make a fist to squeeze the dough through your fingers and repeat until no more clumps remain. Bring the dough together again and let rest, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
  • Poke a couple of holes in the dough and add 2 tablespoons water, then knead again. The goal is to get the dough dry enough so it doesn't stick to your hands or the side of the bowl, but not so dry that it cracks when you squeeze a little chunk of it between your fingers. If necessary, add 2 more tablespoons of water and knead to combine one more time. If the dough is too wet, sprinkle a flour in a little at time, then mix to combine. Let rest, uncovered, for another 5 minutes.
  • Heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with an oiled paper towel.
  • Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces -- each should weigh about 4 1/2 ounces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a disk about 3 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch tall. According to my mother, if the edges crack a little while flattening the disk, your dough is too dry. If this happens, add another tablespoon or 2 of water and let rest again.
  • Working in batches, if necessary, place the disks in a single layer in the skillet and cook until a golden-brown crust has formed on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip and repeat on the other side, 5 minutes more. Reoil the skillet for each additional batch.
  • Place the arepas directly on the oven racks and bake until crusty all over and the insides feel slightly hollowed out, 20 to 25 minutes. (Or if you're my mother, until you tap them 3 times, like a drum, and hear a deep "poh poh poh.")
  • Serve immediately, plain, or with your favorite fillings. You can cut the arepas in half to make two half-moon pockets, or lay them flat, and cut halfway through the side to make one large round pocket. My favorite fillings are black beans, queso duro (aged, hard cheese) and crema, or the classic Reina Pepiada filling. Alternatively, you can store the arepas in a resealable plastic bag at room temperature for 3 to 4 days, or in the freezer, where they'll last for months.
  • Combine the avocado, mayonnaise and lime juice in a medium bowl and mix, mashing the avocado with a fork as necessary. Stir in the onion, chicken, cilantro (if using), a sprinkle of pepper and a generous sprinkle of salt. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary. Serve with arepas and garnish with hot sauce, if you're into that.

AREPA REINA PEPIADA



Arepa Reina Pepiada image

The arepa Reina Pepiada is comprised of shredded slow cooked chicken (or grilled & chopped chicken) fresh ripe avocado, green peas and a little mayonnaise. Mix together all ingredients into a bowl and scoop into a steaming hot arepa.

Provided by ArepasDelGringo

Categories     Meal

Time 55m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 Large Avocados
2lbs Chicken Breast
2 Limes
1 Cup Green Peas
1 Bunch Cilantro
Salt To Taste
2 Cups Harina P.A.N.Corn Meal
2.5 Cups Milk or Water
2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese
½ Stick Melted Butter
Salt to taste

Steps:

  • Place 2 pounds of rinsed de-skinned chicken breast in a slow cooker.
  • Season with cumin, salt and pepper.
  • Place cover on and slow cook for 6-8 hours.
  • Before preparing the filling, take chicken out to cool.
  • Shred Chicken.
  • Once you are ready to prepare the arepas, mash the avocados like you are making guacamole.
  • Mix the avocados with the chicken and squeeze 2 limes and continue to mix.
  • Add a few pinches of salt and broken up cilantro.
  • cups of corn meal and 2.5 cups warm milk or water to a large bowl.
  • cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • good pinches of salt.
  • Form a ball with the dough by mixing the ingredients.
  • Break off a piece about the size of a large meatball.
  • Flatten and form a bowl in the cup of your hand.
  • Place shredded mozzarella cheese inside.
  • Close the arepa in half and seal the edges.
  • Form a flat round object.
  • Heat skillet to 320 and rub a stick of butter on the hot surface.
  • Place arepa on the skillet and sprinkle with salt.
  • Once side is getting spotty brown, re-apply butter to skillet and flip. (~4 Minutes)
  • Re salt new side.
  • Once cheese starts to escape and ooze out and it looks nice and golden brown, it is done.
  • Slice the freshly made arepa in half, but only ⅔ of the way through.
  • Place filling of fresh avocado and chicken inside.

REINA PEPIADA AREPAS



Reina Pepiada Arepas image

Provided by Julie Loria

Categories     Chicken     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Father's Day     Dinner     Lunch     Avocado     Healthy     Sugar Conscious     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 6 arepas

Number Of Ingredients 19

Filling
2 6-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 small onion, sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 ripe Hass avocado, pitted, peeled, and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 jalapeño, seeded and minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup seeded and diced (1/4-inch) red bell pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1 scallion, white and green parts, finely chopped
Arepas
3 cups lukewarm water, or as needed
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
3 cups Venezuelan cornmeal, or as needed *
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil, plus more for the griddle

Steps:

  • 1 To make the filling, place the chicken breasts and onion in a medium saucepan and add enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove the chicken from the saucepan and let cool completely. Tear the chicken into shreds.
  • 2 Mash the avocado, mayonnaise, and vinegar together in a medium bowl with an immersion blender or large fork until smooth. Stir in the cilantro, parsley, jalapeno, and garlic. Add the chicken, red pepper, red onion, and scallion and mix together. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and add more vinegar to give the filling a pleasant, but not sour, tang. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • 3 To make the arepas, stir 3 cups lukewarm water and the salt together in a large bowl to dissolve the salt. Gradually add 3 cups cornmeal, mixing with your fingers to dissolve any lumps, adding enough to make a soft dough that holds its shape without cracking when molded. Set dough aside to rest for 3 minutes. Add the oil and work it in with your hands, adding cornmeal or water to return the dough to the proper consistency.
  • 4 Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Shape each into a 4-inch diameter disk, about 1 inch thick. Transfer to a baking sheet.
  • 5 Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a large nonstick skillet or griddle and heat over medium heat.
  • 6 In batches, place the arepas in the skillet. Cook until the underside is a splotchy golden brown, about 4 minutes. Turn and brown the other side. Return arepas to the baking sheet.
  • 7 When all of the arepas are browned, transfer them directly to the oven rack (without the baking sheet). Bake until the surfaces of the arepas have formed a taut skin-if you rap your fingers on one, it will feel and sound like a drum. Return arepas to the baking sheet and let cool slightly. Split each arepa in half and fill with the chicken mixture. Serve warm.

AREPAS REINA PEPIADA



Arepas Reina Pepiada image

Make and share this Arepas Reina Pepiada recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Food.com

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 45m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, poached, cooled and finely shredded
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper
4 avocados, pitted, peeled and mashed with hands
1/2 lime, juice of
4 cups cold water
3/4 tablespoon salt
1 1/2 lbs venezuelan masa harina (precooked white cornmeal)
oil, for greasing

Steps:

  • For the filling:.
  • Mix together the chicken, cilantro, mayonnaise, salt, pepper to taste, the avocados and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate. For the dough: Mix together the water and salt in a large bowl, and then slowly add the cornmeal as you mix with your fingers. Mix and knead until it forms a soft dough. When you can pick up all of the dough in one mass, it's ready to form the arepas. Divide the dough into 8 balls, then gently flatten and form into discs.
  • Heat a lightly-oiled griddle or nonstick skillet over high heat. Preheat a grill to medium heat.
  • Cook the arepas on the griddle until they release from the cooking surface and are able to be moved, about 1 minute 30 seconds, and then flip and cook the other side for another 1 minute 30 seconds. Transfer the arepas to the grill and grill until lightly browned in spots, about 5 minutes per side. The arepas are ready when they sound like a drum when tapped.
  • Split the arepas in half, then scrape out and discard some of the middle. Stuff the arepas with the chicken mixture and eat while still piping hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 716, Fat 26, SaturatedFat 3.9, Cholesterol 48.4, Sodium 1173.8, Carbohydrate 98.3, Fiber 16.3, Sugar 0.9, Protein 29.3

HOMEMADE SOUTH AMERICAN AREPAS



Homemade South American Arepas image

Making arepas is easy and quick. The yummy griddle corn cakes are favorites in Venezuela and Colombia.

Provided by Marian Blazes

Categories     Dinner     Lunch     Bread

Time 1h

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups masarepa cornmeal
2 3/4 to 3 1/2 cups hot water
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 tablespoon butter (or vegetable oil)

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • In a mixing bowl, stir the salt into the masarepa cornmeal.
  • Pour 2 3/4 cups of hot water over the flour and mix well with a wooden spoon.
  • Stir in the melted butter.
  • Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes.
  • If you want thicker arepas, separate the dough into 12 pieces. For thinner arepas, divide the dough into 18 pieces.
  • Shape each piece into a smooth ball. Add more water if needed-the dough should be moist enough so that you can shape the arepas without the dough forming lots of cracks around the edges.
  • Place each ball in between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and flatten gently with the bottom of a pot. Thick arepas should be about 3 inches in diameter and almost 1-inch thick. Thin arepas should be about 3 1/2 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick.
  • Use your fingers to smooth out any cracks along the edges.
  • Place the shaped arepas on a cookie sheet covered with plastic wrap.
  • Heat a cast-iron skillet on low heat. Put 1/2 tablespoon butter or vegetable oil in the skillet.
  • Place several arepas in the pan, leaving room to turn them.
  • Cook the arepas for about 5 minutes on each side. The surface should dry and form a crust. They will brown slightly but do not let them brown too much. They should look like an English muffin. If they are browning too fast, lower the heat. Add more butter or oil for subsequent batches as needed.
  • The thinner arepas are done when they have formed a nice crust but are still soft on the inside. For thicker arepas, finish cooking in the oven: After they have formed a crust and are just a bit browned, place them on a cookie sheet and heat for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 F.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 75 kcal, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 4 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 90 mg, Sugar 0 g, Fat 2 g, ServingSize 12 to 18 arepas, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your arepas.
  • Don't overwork the dough. Overworking will make the arepas tough.
  • Cook the arepas over medium heat. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from burning.
  • Serve the arepas warm. They are best when they are fresh out of the pan.
  • Get creative with your fillings. There are endless possibilities, so feel free to experiment.

Conclusion:

Arepas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are easy to make and can be filled with a variety of ingredients, making them a great option for any occasion. So next time you are looking for a new recipe to try, give arepas a try. You won't be disappointed!

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