Arepas are one of the most simple, yet delicious recipes that are native to Columbia. You can find arepas all around the country. In restaurants, on the street, for a late night snack, or any other time of the day.
The arepa, which has pre-Columbian origin, originated from indigenous tribes in Columbia and Venezuela. Both countries make their arepas using corn dough, but the way in which they are served is what distinguishes one from the other
Everyone likes to make arepas differently – and they vary by region. Sometimes sweet, sometimes salty. If you are looking for a great arepa recipe you are in the right place !
Arepas can be eaten alone, mixed with cheese, filled with meat, or any other way you can think of. Arepas are small flat, round unleavened patties made out of maize (corn flour). They are prominent in Colombia and Venezuela and are often eaten for breakfast. The term arepa comes from the word “erepa” which means corn bread in the language of the Indigenous people of Venezuela and Colombia.
Arepas de Queso, or simply put, Arepas with Cheese. Now, arepas de queso are not just made with “cheese” they are MADE with cheese, oozing out of the sides, kneaded into the dough and formed to perfection!
How To Make Arepas
To make Arepas con Queso you only need four ingredients. P.A.N or other corn flour, but this one is my favorite. Mozzarella Cheese, Milk and Salted Butter and Salt to taste.
Gather up your ingredients and pour 2 cups of corn flower into a bowl.
P.A.N can sometimes be hard to find. It is most likely in the international section or latin part of the grocery store. It is anywhere from $2-3 dollars a package.
Then add about 2.5 cups of milk (you can also use water). Throw in a couple of good pinches of salt, you don’t need to go overboard here, but enough to taste. Next add about 1.5 cups of Mozzarella cheese. (this is the most important ingredient)
Mix the ingredients with your hands since it can get a little sticky.
Make sure there are no lumps and form it into a ball you want the consistency to be a bit softer than play dough. It can dry out very easily, so make sure it is nice and moist. Consistency is key to a moist Arepa.
Break off a small chunk about the size of a large meatball. and work it into a smaller ball (below)
The next step you want to push your thumb into the ball and form a bowl. At this point you will have a nice spot for some delicious cheese!
TIP: Don’t be shy, if you can fit more cheese in there do it!
Once you have filled the “bowl” with cheese, fold one side over to make a pocket and pinch it shut. This might be a bit tricky since the cheese will want to stop you from closing it, but dip your fingers in some left over milk to form a glue and work it from an ugly oval shape to a beautiful sealed cheese pocket.
TIP: This step is tricky and can be time consuming if it is your first time. Use the palm of one hand, and rotate the patty in the other to form a flat wall around the dough.
At this point you should have your griddle or skillet hot to anywhere from 300 – 350 degrees . I like to start at 300• and raise and lower as I go.
Right before you are ready to start cooking, rub the butter stick on the griddle and give it about 3 seconds before you put it down. Next sprinkle with some coarse salt.
Take a spatula and check occasionally for black specks like above, that is the cheese mixed in with the dough. Flip it occasionally and add salt to the unsalted side, you can re-butter the griddle also. You will know it is done when melted cheese starts to break through the wall off the Arepa and ooze out. Just make sure they are not burning before that happens. If so, lower the heat a bit. Cooking should take anywhere form 10-15 minutes, about half for each side.
Put the hot Arepas de Queso on a plate and eat them HOT! These treats work great for parties!
As you can see here the cheese has escaped telling you that it is ready to be eaten.
You do not have to add cheese to the dough, but it adds nice moisture, texture and taste.
There is nothing like a freshly cooked Arepa con Queso with cheese that strings out as you break it apart.
Are you going to make Arepas de Queso?
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