Arepas are a traditional Venezuelan dish made from ground maize dough or precooked cornmeal, which is shaped into a flat disk and cooked on a griddle. Cheese arepas are a popular and delicious variation that incorporates a variety of cheeses, typically white cheese, mozzarella, and/or queso fresco. They are often served with various toppings and fillings, such as shredded meat, beans, avocado, and tomato. In this article, we will explore some of the best recipes for cooking cheese arepas, providing step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure that you create the perfect dish. We will also discuss the different types of cheese that can be used, as well as the various toppings and fillings that can be added to create a truly unique and flavorful experience.
Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!
CHEESE-STUFFED AREPAS
Who knew that arepas were so simple? These delicious corn cakes take no time to make, and are infinitely adaptable. Experiment with toppings like fried eggs, guacamole and Cotija -- a dry and crumbly Mexican cheese.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories appetizer
Time 50m
Yield 8 arepas
Number Of Ingredients 4
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.
COLOMBIAN CORN AND CHEESE AREPAS
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories appetizer, side dish
Time 1h
Yield 11 large arepas
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine the flour and sugar in a large bowl. Gradually add 3 cups warm water, mixing with your fingers, then work in 4 tablespoons of the butter. Knead to a soft dough.
- One cup at a time, knead in the cheese. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons more water if the mixture seems dry. Taste the dough (some cheeses are very salty), then knead in salt to taste, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. Continue kneading until the dough feels soft and smooth, with no lumps. Set aside to rest for at least 15 minutes, covered with a damp cloth.
- Heat the broiler or a grill over high heat. Divide dough into 11 portions, roughly 5 ounces or 1/2 cup each. Roll into balls between your palms and set aside on a tray covered with a damp kitchen towel. Flatten each ball into a thick circle, 3 1/2 inches in diameter, flat on both sides. Return to tray and keep covered.
- Line broiler or grill rack with aluminum foil and brush foil lightly with remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Arrange arepas on foil and cook about 4 inches from the heat source, turning once, until both sides are golden brown and speckled - about 10 minutes per side. Serve immediately, for breakfast (like corn muffins) or as an accompaniment to soups or stews (like corn bread).
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 472, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 36 grams, Fat 28 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 20 grams, SaturatedFat 16 grams, Sodium 727 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 1 gram
CORN AND CHEESE GRIDDLE CAKES (AREPAS)
These little Venezuelan griddle cakes, known as arepas in Spanish, can be eaten at any time of the day, topped with cheese, meat, chicken, or eggs. You can top them with roast pork or a spoonful of pico de gallo as a delicious side or tempting appetizer. You use nonstick cooking spray quite a bit for this, but I like to use an olive oil spritzer. Enjoy!
Provided by Nif_H
Categories Cheese
Time 25m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Put the cornmeal and salt in a food processor and process until finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the cheese and butter.
- Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until almost boiling. Gradually stir enough of the milk into the cornmeal mixture to make a very thick batter. Stir in the corn.
- Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray and set over medium heat. Drop half of the cornmeal mixture, 1 heaping tablespoon at a time, in 6 mounds in the skillet. Flatten slightly and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Spray the griddle cakes with nonstick spray and turn. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes, transferring them to a platter when they are done; keep warm. Repeat with the remaining cornmeal mixture to make a total of 12 griddle cakes. Serve with Pico de Gallo, if using.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 113.3, Fat 3.5, SaturatedFat 1.9, Cholesterol 9.4, Sodium 205.9, Carbohydrate 16.1, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 2.3, Protein 5.5
AREPAS WITH CHEESE AND CORN
Originally from Venezuela, so it is said, arepas are perhaps best described as cornmeal-based English muffins. I like them better fried than baked, but they're good either way. There are two-faced griddles for baking them; you might try a waffle iron. Make sure you buy whole-grain cornmeal, which is usually stone ground.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, lunch, appetizer, main course
Time 45m
Yield 8 to 12 arepas
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Put cornmeal in a large bowl with salt and cheese. Put milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steam rises, then add butter and stir until melted. Remove from heat and stir into cornmeal mixture until a thick batter is formed. Fold in the corn kernels, scallion, cilantro and chili if using.
- Let batter rest until it thickens into a soft dough, about 15 minutes. Gently form 3- to 4-inch balls from mixture and flatten with palm of your hand to a 1/2-inch-thick disk. (You can cover and refrigerate disks for a few hours if you like.)
- Heat oil in a large skillet and cook arepas, working in batches, until golden brown, about 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes on other side. When all arepas are cooked and cool enough to handle, carefully slice them through the middle. If desired, serve with butter or stuff with beans, vegetables or sour cream.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 145, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 142 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams
CORN AND CHEESE AREPAS
Categories Cake Cheese Dairy Side Sauté Quick & Easy Cornmeal Corn Winter Grill/Barbecue Monterey Jack Bon Appétit Sugar Conscious Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes about 24
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Finely grind cornmeal in blender, 1/4 cup at a time. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in cheese, 2 tablespoons butter and salt. Add enough boiling water to mixture to make very thick batter. Stir in corn.
- Heat griddle or large skillet over medium heat with some of remaining melted butter. Working in batches and using 1 tablespoon batter for each corn cake, drop batter onto skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Serve hot.
CHEESE AREPAS
Make and share this Cheese Arepas recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Lavender Lynn
Categories Cheese
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and gradually add the warm water, mixing to form a stiff dough.
- Add the cheese and knead the dough for a few minutes then form into 4 balls.
- Flatten the balls to a thickness of about 1/2 inch.
- Heat oil in a large frying pan.
- Add the arepas and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until crisp and golden, turning 3 or 4 times.
- Drain on kitchen paper.
- To Serve - split the arepas in half, place on serving plates and garnish with avocado, tomato slices and olives.
COLOMBIAN AREPAS WITH HAM AND CHEESE
A favorite in Colombia these hot,toasted cakes of soft corn that are slightly sweet and salty! You will need a Cast Iron Skillet OR Flat-Top grill!
Provided by Timothy H.
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Making the Arepas:.
- I a large bowl combine masa with cheese,baking soda and salt. Slowly pour the warm water in and stir well. Using your hands,knead until smooth dough forms. Form into 6 even balls,flatten into circles, about 4 inches in diameter.In a cast iron skillet or flat top grill, melt half of the butter on medium heat.
- Working in batches,if necessary,cook Arepas until golden brown, about 3 minutes.Add remaining butter,turn Arepas and cook 2-3 minutes until golden. Set aside.
- Making the Sandwich:.
- Slice the arepas in half horizontally. Layer on the ham,cheese and tomato, season with salt and pepper. Top fixings with remaining Arepas halves. Heat half the butterin a skillet or flat top grill. Cook Arepas in batches,about 3 minutes, until golden. Add remaining butter,turn,cover and cook 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and Arepasare golden. Serve with Salsa on the side.
CREAM CHEESE AREPAS
Using milk instead of water in the arepas will make them a little richer, a little denser, and, that's right - delicious! Split and serve with a pat of butter and a drizzle of honey, or make a breakfast sandwich with a drizzle of maple syrup, a slice of cheese and cooked ham, and a fried egg.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Bread Quick Bread Recipes Cornbread Recipes
Time 25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Mix milk, cream cheese, and salt in a mixing bowl; whisk together until smooth and foamy. Add sugar and arepas flour to milk mixture; mix with a spatula until dough is soft, thick, and workable, about 1 minute.
- Divide dough into 4 portions (for the 4 wells in the maker). Form each quarter into a ball and use wet hands to gently shape it into a thick patty about 1/2-inch thick. If you see little cracks on the outside, the dough may be a little too dry; add more milk.
- Heat arepas maker; lightly coat wells of the arepas machine with vegetable oil.
- Place patties into wells of maker, close lid, and let cook through one cooking cycle of machine, about 5 minutes. For a crisper crust, flip arepas, using a wooden spoon or spatula, and repeat cooking cycle for 5 more minutes. Patties will be crusty and browned on both sides and the insides will be cooked all the way through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 172.5 calories, Carbohydrate 23.6 g, Cholesterol 19.6 mg, Fat 6.9 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 352.4 mg, Sugar 3.2 g
3-CHEESE AREPAS
I only saw recipes for Venezuelan and Ecuadorean Arepas so I thought I'd share this one. It's from my Colombian friend.
Provided by Chef Christine
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 15m
Yield 4 arepas, 3 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine cornmeal and water in a bowl.
- Add cheese and then buttermilk.
- Heat a non-stick skillet (low).
- Roll mixture into a ball and place in pan and flatten into a pancake, about a 4 inches circle.
- heat for about 5 minutes, continually checking that it does not burn.
- when it is golden brown flip over to other side for about five minutes.
- shred additional queso blanco on top and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 261.6, Fat 9.7, SaturatedFat 5.3, Cholesterol 24.9, Sodium 266.4, Carbohydrate 32.7, Fiber 3, Sugar 1.4, Protein 11.8
CREAM CHEESE AREPAS RECIPE - (4.1/5)
Provided by á-4084
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Mix milk, cream cheese, and salt in a mixing bowl; whisk together until smooth and foamy. Add sugar and arepas flour to milk mixture; mix with a spatula until dough is soft, thick, and workable, about 1 minute. Divide dough into 4 portions (for the 4 wells in the maker). Form each quarter into a ball and use wet hands to gently shape it into a thick patty about 1/2-inch thick. If you see little cracks on the outside, the dough may be a little too dry; add more milk. Heat arepas maker; lightly coat wells of the arepas machine with vegetable oil. Place patties into wells of maker, close lid, and let cook through one cooking cycle of machine, about 5 minutes. For a crisper crust, flip arepas, using a wooden spoon or spatula, and repeat cooking cycle for 5 more minutes. Patties will be crusty and browned on both sides and the insides will be cooked all the way through. Note: You can make arepas using a heavy skillet over medium heat; spray with cooking oil, place arepas into the hot skillet, and cook until bottoms are crusty and brown, about 5 minutes. Flip arepas and cook other side until browned, 3 to 5 more minutes.
Tips:
- For a crispy arepa, cook it over medium-high heat until it is golden brown on both sides.
- To make sure the arepa is cooked all the way through, insert a toothpick or skewer into the center. If it comes out clean, the arepa is done.
- Stuff your arepas with your favorite fillings, such as shredded chicken, beans, cheese, or avocado. You can also get creative and try different toppings, such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
- Serve arepas as a main course or as a side dish. They are also great for parties and potlucks.
Conclusion:
Arepas are a delicious and versatile food that can be enjoyed in many different ways. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give arepas a try!
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