Stuffed Cornbread: Arepas
- 1 1/2 cups arepa flour, see note
- Pinch salt
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon canola oil, plus extra for cooking arepas
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a bowl, mix flour and salt.
- Pour in water and mix with a spoon until the dough comes together.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Remove dough from bowl and knead for about 5 minutes moistening your hands and the board with water as you work.
- (Kneading in the additional moisture is an important step in making a tender arepa.)
- The dough should be smooth and not crack around the edges; it should be moist but not sticky.
- Form into disks about 3-inches around and 1/2-inch thick.
- (The disks can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at this point and cooked later.)
- Add the oil to a non-stick pan over medium heat and cook arepas on each side just until a crust forms.
- Do not let brown.
- Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the arepas make a hollow sound when tapped.
- Open a slit in 1 side of the arepa to make a pocket (or slice in half).
- Arepas can be stuffed with meat, beans and plantains or your favorite filling.
- Cook's note: Arepa flour is a precooked corn flour and should not be confused with masa harina.
- Arepa flour is sold as masarepa, harina precocida, or masa al instante.
- It can be found in Latin American groceries.
arepa flour, salt, water, canola oil
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/stuffed-cornbread-arepas-recipe.html (may not work)