Best Spicy Fried Arepas Recipes

SPICY FRIED AREPAS

Steps:

• Place water in a medium pot over moderate heat, add meat, seasonings and hot pepper, stirring to distribute seasonings.
• Allow to cook for 10 mins then add soy sauce, black pepper , sugar and salt if needed. Add more water if necessary for meat to cook thoroughly.
• Cook until water is absorbed completely. Set aside to cool until dough is ready.
• Dough:.
• In a medium bowl, sift and combine corm meal, flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Add sugar followed by the margarine and shortening. Using a fork or pastry blender combine the fat in to the flour mixture until it looks like bread crumbs.
• Add water half cups at a time and knead into a soft dough. (water amount may vary for different types of cornmeal).
• Divide dough into balls about the size of an egg. On a non-stick surface or on a greased plastic bag, press out a ball into a round disc about 1/8 inch thick. (a tortilla press is ideal for making the discs).
• On one half, fill with one tablespoon of filling, wet the edges of the other side and fold over and seal off by pressing edges together.
• Set aside until ready to fry.
• Heat 2 cups veg oil and fry Arepas until golden brown, turning after the first 4 mins or so.
• Remove the Arepas and drain on brown paper bag sheets or bounty towels. Remove thearepas from the first set of paper and wrap in a second set of paper towels, keep covered in a container if not using immediately.
• Note: the uncooked Arepas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and fried immediately when needed without thawing.

AREPAS

Steps:

• Combine arepa flour and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center and add 2 1/2 cups warm water. Using a wooden spoon, gradually incorporate dry ingredients, stirring until no dry lumps remain. Let rest 5 minutes to hydrate.
• Knead dough a few times in bowl, then divide into 8 pieces. Roll each piece on work surface into a ball, then gently flatten to about 1/2" thick.
• Heat 1 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 4 arepas, cover, and cook until golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Uncover, flip, and cook (keep uncovered) until other side is golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Transfer arepas to a wire rack.
• Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoons oil and dough.
• Split arepas and stuff with desired fillings; serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.

COLOMBIAN AREPAS

Steps:

• Toss together arepa flour, cheese, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl, then stir in water until incorporated. Let stand until enough water is absorbed for a soft dough to form, 1 to 2 minutes (dough will continue to stiffen).
• Form 3 level tablespoons dough into 1 ball and flatten between your palms, gently pressing to form a 1/4-inch-thick patty (2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches wide), then gently press around side to eliminate cracks. Transfer to a wax-paper-lined surface. Form more disks with remaining dough in same manner, transferring to wax-paper-lined surface.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then fry arepas in 2 batches, turning over once, until deep golden in patches, 8 to 10 minutes total per batch. Drain on paper towels.

VENEZUELAN AREPAS

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

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.