Are you ready for a delicious taste of South America? Then let me introduce you to the delightful world of Arepas. These tasty treats originated in Venezuela and Colombia and have since gained popularity all over the world. Arepas are maize dough flatbreads that are filled with a variety of ingredients such as cheese, meat, and beans. Let’s start with the basics. To make the maize dough, you will need to mix water, salt and maize flour. Knead the dough until it is pliable enough to shape. Once you have shaped the dough into circles or patties, you are ready to cook them. Arepas can be cooked in a pan, on a griddle or even in the oven. Now it’s time to add the filling. The traditional filling for Arepas is cheese, but you can use a variety of ingredients to suit your taste. Some popular Arepa fillings include chicken, avocado, beans, and guacamole. Simply slice the Arepa open and fill it with your desired ingredients. Here’s a tasty recipe to get you started: Ingredients: - 2 cups maize flour - 1 tsp salt - 2 cups water - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese - 1/2 cup black beans - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes - 1/4 cup diced red onion - 1/4 cup chopped cilantro - 1 tbsp olive oil Instructions: 1. In a large bowl, combine maize flour, salt, and water. Knead the dough until it is smooth and pliable. 2. Shape the dough into 6-7 circles or patties, about ½ inch thick. 3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. 4. Cook the Arepas for 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. 5. While the Arepas are cooking, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix together the cheese, black beans, diced tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. 6. Once the Arepas are cooked, slice them open and fill them with the cheese mixture. 7. Serve hot and enjoy! Preparation time: 25 minutes Servings: 6-7 Nutrition Facts: Calories: 236kcal Total Fat: 8g Saturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 18mg Sodium: 404mg Total Carbohydrates: 31g Dietary Fiber: 6g Protein: 10g So there you have it, a simple and delicious recipe for Arepas. They make a great appetizer, light meal or snack. You can get creative with the fillings and experiment with different flavors. Give them a try and let your taste buds take a trip to South America.
