Arepas Recipe

 Arepas Recipe

Ingredients

500 grams of pre-cooked cornmeal (harina)

800 ml of water

500 grams of beef striploin cut into cubes

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 medium onion

1 large tomato

1/2 medium green pepper

1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro

2 medium garlic cloves

3 tablespoons of oil

2 ripe plantains

300 grams of grated mozzarella

75 ml of oil for frying

1 teaspoon of salt (or to taste)

1/2 teaspoon of black pepper (or to taste)

Preparation method

See the ingredients needed to make the classic Venezuelan arepas recipe;

To make the shredded meat, place a pressure cooker on high heat, heat the olive oil and sear the meat cubes for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown;

Pour water until it covers the meat and season with salt, washed and chopped coriander, black pepper and finely sliced ​​garlic cloves. Mix until it is spread throughout all the ingredients;

Cover the pan and cook for approximately 30 minutes after it reaches pressure. Turn off the heat and wait for it to release naturally;

Reserve the broth for another recipe, shred the meat and set aside. In a frying pan over high heat, add the olive oil and, when it is hot, sauté the onion and bell pepper for about 6 minutes;

Wash and chop the tomato into medium cubes, add to the shredded meat and cook for another 4 minutes. Adjust the seasoning and salt if necessary. Do not let the meat dry out. Turn off the heat and set aside;

In a large glass bowl, add the cornmeal and a large pinch of salt. Mix well to spread the two ingredients;

Gradually add the water, stirring with clean hands and adding more liquid as the ingredients are incorporated;

When the dough is firm and easy to shape, but still a little sticky to your hands, form a large ball and set aside in the bowl for about 2 minutes;

In a large frying pan over medium-low heat, add about 1 finger of oil. This is not deep-frying, but this step requires a little more fat to be able to fry;

While it is heating, take a portion of the dough and shape it into a ball the size of the palm of your hand;

Slightly flatten it until it forms a disk 2 cm thick and run your fingers along the sides to make it round;

When the oil is hot, place about 3 arepas in the frying pan and let them fry on one side for 10 minutes;

Meanwhile, grate the cheese on the coarse side of the grater. Peel the banana and cut it into thin slices. Set aside. Remember to turn the arepas over to fry on the other side until golden brown;

Wait for it to cool and carefully cut the arepa in half and fill it with grated cheese, banana slices and a little shredded meat;

Serve the arepas and enjoy this delicious dish. Enjoy!