Arepas with a Twist

Arepas with a Twist are delicious little hot pockets made with creamy cornmeal and stuffed with goodness. These are especially popular in neighboring countries like Venezuela and Colombia, where they are served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The filling varies depending on the time of the day, ranging from scrambled eggs, chicken, tuna, to pulled pork. You can find them at local food trucks or make them at home. Here’s a simple recipe for flavorful snack-time arepas stuffed with creamy melted mozzarella.

Ingredients:

2 cups (250g) pre-cooked white or yellow cornmeal*
2 cups (500ml) water
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
2 tablespoons jalapeño, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella
Extra vegetable oil for frying

(*When making arepas, it’s important to use the special pre-cooked variety of cornmeal such as Harina PAN.)

Instructions:

Prepare the dough:
In a bowl, combine the cornmeal, water, coconut oil, cilantro, jalapeño, and salt. Knead until a soft, pliable, non-sticky dough forms. If it cracks when folded, add a little more water. Wrap the dough in cling film and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Shape the arepas:
Divide the dough into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and press down into a flat disk with the palm of your hand.
Fry the arepas:
Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the arepas on both sides until crispy and lightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
Grill the arepas:
Heat a griddle pan or barbecue. Carefully slice open each fried arepa to form a pita-like pocket. Stuff each arepa with mozzarella. Grill the stuffed arepas on both sides until they sound hollow when tapped, about 3 to 4 minutes per side, and the mozzarella has melted.
Serve:
Serve warm with hot sauce for an extra kick.

Serves: 4

This recipe is from the book “Island Vibes: The Joy of Caribbean Cooking” by Curaçao chef Helmi Smeulders. You can find it at local bookstores or online at www.helmismeulders.com/shop.

https://www.myarubaguide.com/blogs/arepas-with-a-twist