Best 2 Venezuelan Arepas Recipes
Arepas, a traditional Venezuelan dish, are a delightful treat enjoyed by many. Made from precooked cornmeal flour, these savory cakes are a staple in Venezuelan cuisine and can be stuffed with a variety of fillings. Whether you prefer the classic combination of shredded beef, beans, and avocado or something more adventurous, there's an arepa recipe out there to suit every palate. In this article, we'll explore the art of making Venezuelan arepas, providing you with step-by-step instructions, tips, and variations to help you create delicious and authentic arepas that will transport you to the heart of Venezuela.
Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!
VENEZUELAN AREPAS
The way we make traditional Venezuelan arepas in our house. Every Venezuelan family has their own way of making it. You can skip the griddle/oven steps if you have a "Tostiarepa" (think panini press for arepas) but since my husband thinks it's sacrilegious, we do it this way. We'll start with the measurement recommendations on the back of that ubiquitous yellow bag of "Harina P.A.N" but please note that these are just suggestions and you need to make sure you have the right consistency above all. Buen provecho!
Provided by LexiMStL
Categories Breads
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 Arepas, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Pre heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lightly grease and heat flat griddle or frying pan on medium high.
- Add water to a medium bowl.
- Dissolve sugar and salt in water. You want a mild flavor, not too salty but enough to taste it.
- Add the Harina P.A.N little by little as you mix with your hands.
- Stop adding the corn meal just before the mix becomes solid. It should be the consistency of a thick pancake batter at this stage.
- Continue to stir vigorously with your hands until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and forms a very soft ball. Sprinkle additional corn meal into the mix if the dough doesn't firm up at all.
- Pick up the dough and slap it down back into the bowl a few times to speed up the process. Note: the dough should never become as firm as a ball of bread dough or pizza dough. There is no real kneading involved.
- When the dough forms a nice, moist ball, break off a small piece and work it in your hands rolling it into a small ball (about 1-2 inches) and then gently flattening it so it is about 3 inches across and 1/2inch tall. Note: if the dough cracks on the edges when you flatten it, it is too dry. Wet your hands and try again.
- Place the arepa on the preheated griddle and continue forming the rest in the same manner.
- Flip the arepas just before they are about to burn, when the bottom is golden brown. Allow them to brown on the other side.
- At this point the arepas are done, but for an added touch of authenticity, place the arepas into the preheated over directly onto the racks and allow them to bake for 10-15 minutes or until they puff up.
- Slice open and fill with butter, cheese, meat or anything else!
HOMEMADE AREPAS
It was at a New York City hole-in-the-wall eatery where I first fell in love with a stuffed white corn cake. Halfway through my first arepa, one stuffed with black beans, beef, plantains, and salty cheese, I vowed to learn how to make these at home. It's a truly magnificent delivery system for any number of your favorite fillings. I went with some spicy pork and avocado, but I made a version a few days later stuffed with caramelized plantains and salty goat feta.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Bread Quick Bread Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Stir water and salt together in a bowl. Gradually stir corn meal into water with your fingers until mixture forms a soft, moist, malleable dough.
- Divide dough into 8 golf ball-size balls and pat each one into a patty about 3/8-inch thick.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Working in batches, cook corn patties in hot oil until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer cooked arepas to a paper towel-lined plate to drain until cool enough to handle.
- Slice halfway through each cake horizontally with a thin serrated knife to form a pita-like pocket.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 95.5 calories, Carbohydrate 20 g, Fat 1 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 292.9 mg
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the taste of your arepas. Use fresh cornmeal, milk, and eggs. If you can, use queso fresco that is made with whole milk.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough will make the arepas tough. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
- Let the dough rest before cooking: This will allow the cornmeal to absorb the liquid and make the arepas more tender.
- Cook the arepas over medium heat: This will prevent them from burning. Cook them for about 5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown.
- Serve the arepas warm: Arepas are best served warm. You can fill them with your favorite fillings, such as shredded chicken, black beans, or cheese.
Conclusion:
Arepas are a delicious and versatile Venezuelan dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are easy to make and can be filled with a variety of ingredients. With a little practice, you can make perfect arepas that your family and friends will love.
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