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These Selfmade Arepas with Reina Pepiada are an absolute game-changer! The crispy arepas are stuffed with a creamy, flavorful hen and avocado combination that’s bursting with zesty goodness. Whether or not you’re in search of a brand new dish to impress your loved ones or simply craving one thing deliciously completely different, these arepas are good for any meal.
What Are Arepas?
Arepas are crispy cornmeal truffles from Venezuela and Colombia which can be completely scrumptious! Comprised of pre-cooked cornmeal, these little patties get cooked till they’re golden and crispy on the skin, whereas staying gentle and tender inside. You may stuff them with all types of tasty fillings. On this recipe, we’re filling them with Reina Pepiada, a creamy, zesty mixture of shredded hen and avocado. Belief me, they’re a taste explosion!
Earlier than You Start
- Use Pre-Cooked Cornmeal: Pre-cooked white cornmeal (like P.A.N. model) is crucial for making genuine arepas. This kind of cornmeal has been cooked after which floor, which implies it solely must be blended with water and fashioned into dough. Common cornmeal received’t work the identical approach and can end in a distinct texture.
- Relaxation the Dough: It’s vital to let the dough relaxation for five minutes after mixing. This enables the cornmeal to totally hydrate and makes the arepas simpler to kind.
- Form Evenly: Form the arepas into uniform discs to make sure they prepare dinner evenly. Goal for about 4-5 inches large and ½-inch thick.
- Prepare dinner Till Crispy: Prepare dinner the arepas on a medium warmth skillet till they’re golden and crispy on each side. For further crispiness, end them within the oven.
- Put together Filling in Advance: Make the Reina Pepiada filling whereas the arepas prepare dinner. This manner, every thing is able to assemble as soon as the arepas are achieved.
- Serve Heat: Arepas are greatest loved heat. If it’s essential hold them heat, cowl them or hold them in a low oven till able to serve.
Components You’ll Want
- Pre-Cooked White Cornmeal: Pre-cooked white cornmeal, just like the P.A.N. model, has been cooked after which floor, making it fast to arrange and supreme for creating the proper texture. You can’t exchange this with common cornmeal.
- Heat Water: Needs to be about 100°F to 110°F (37°C to 43°C) to assist the cornmeal come collectively right into a easy dough.
- Salt: Essential so as to add taste to the dough, in any other case your arepas will probably be bland.
- Vegetable Oil: You’ll want slightly little bit of vegetable oil like sunflower or canola so as to add moisture to the dough, making it extra pliable and simpler to form.
- Cooked Rooster: You may prepare dinner your individual hen however to make this straightforward, I really like to make use of a rotisserie hen.
- Ripe Avocado: You’ll want a ripe avocado so as to add plenty of creaminess to our hen salad.
- Mayonnaise, Onion, Cilantro, Jalapeño, Lime Juice, and Salt and Pepper: These substances mix to create a creamy, zesty combination that binds the hen and avocado collectively, including taste and texture to the filling. Modify the jalapeño for desired warmth and lime juice for acidity.
In a big bowl, mix 2 cups of pre-cooked white cornmeal, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Progressively add 2½ cups of heat water (100°F to 110°F), stirring till the combination is easy and homogenous. Let the dough relaxation for five minutes. Tip: Resting the dough permits the cornmeal to totally hydrate, making it simpler to form.
Divide the dough into six parts. Form every portion right into a ball, then flatten right into a disc about 4-5 inches large and ½-inch thick. Tip: Shaping the arepas evenly helps them prepare dinner uniformly. I additionally discovered it simpler to form them if I oil my palms a bit first.
Warmth a big skillet over medium warmth and brush with vegetable oil. Prepare dinner the arepas for about 6-7 minutes on either side till they’re golden and crispy. Tip: Cooking on medium warmth permits the arepas to develop a crispy exterior with out burning.
For further crispiness, end by baking the arepas in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-Quarter-hour.
In a bowl, combine 2 cups of shredded cooked hen, 1 finely chopped small onion, ¼ cup of finely chopped cilantro, and 1 finely chopped, seeded jalapeño (optionally available). Tip: Rotisserie hen works nice right here for comfort and taste.
In a separate bowl, mash 1 ripe avocado with ¼ cup of mayonnaise and the juice of 1 lime till easy. Mix the avocado mix with the hen combination, mixing till properly mixed. Season with salt and pepper to style. Tip: Modify the lime juice and jalapeño to your style desire for the proper steadiness of flavors.
Slice a gap on one aspect of every arepa to create a pocket. Generously fill every arepa with the Reina Pepiada combination. Tip: Be beneficiant with the filling to make each chunk flavorful.
Serve the arepas instantly, or hold them coated to remain heat till able to serve.
Attempt Totally different Fillings
Whereas the Reina Pepiada filling is completely scrumptious, arepas are extremely versatile and will be stuffed with all types of tasty substances. One of the crucial in style and easiest alternate options is cheese. You may stuff your arepas with a wide range of cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, or a gentle cheese like queso fresco.
What to Serve With Arepas
Serve these scrumptious arepas with a wide range of sides to make an entire meal. They pair completely with recent salads, flavorful salsas, or hearty soups. Listed here are some nice concepts to attempt:
Continuously Requested Questions
What’s Reina Pepiada?
Reina Pepiada is a well-liked Venezuelan filling for arepas made with shredded hen, ripe avocado, mayonnaise, lime juice, and seasonings. It’s creamy, flavorful, and has a scrumptious mix of textures and tastes.
Can I make the arepa dough forward of time?
Sure, you may make the dough forward of time. Retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature earlier than shaping and cooking.
What if I don’t have pre-cooked white cornmeal?
Pre-cooked white cornmeal is crucial for genuine arepas. In the event you can’t discover it, attempt in search of manufacturers like P.A.N. at your native Latin grocery retailer or on-line.
How do I retailer leftover arepas?
Retailer leftover arepas in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 2 days. For longer storage, hold them within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
Can I freeze arepas?
Sure, you possibly can freeze cooked arepas. Allow them to cool fully, then wrap every arepa in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. They are often frozen for as much as 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in a skillet or oven earlier than serving.
Earlier than You Start! In the event you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us understand how you preferred this recipe! This helps our enterprise thrive & proceed offering free recipes.
Selfmade Arepa with Reina Pepiada
Selfmade Arepas with Reina Pepiada are crispy cornmeal truffles stuffed with a creamy, flavorful combination of shredded hen, avocado, and lime. Good for any meal, these arepas are a scrumptious and distinctive addition to your desk.
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Components
For Reina Pepiada Filling
Earlier than You Start! In the event you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us understand how you preferred this recipe! This helps our enterprise thrive & proceed offering free recipes.
Directions
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In a big bowl, combine the cornmeal, salt, and oil. Progressively add the nice and cozy water, stirring till the combination is easy and homogenous. Let the dough relaxation for five minutes.
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Divide the dough into six parts. Form every right into a ball, then flatten right into a disc about 4-5 inches large and ½-inch thick.
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Warmth a big skillet over medium warmth and brush with oil. Prepare dinner the arepas for about 6-7 minutes on either side till they’re golden and crispy. Optionally, end by baking in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-Quarter-hour for further crispiness.
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Mix the shredded hen, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mash the avocado with mayonnaise and lime juice till easy. Combine the avocado mix into the hen combination till properly mixed. Season with salt and pepper.
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Slice a gap on one aspect of every arepa to create a pocket. Generously fill every arepa with the Reina Pepiada combination.
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Serve the arepas instantly, or hold them coated to remain heat till able to serve.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked white cornmeal for the most effective texture and genuine taste.
- Let the dough relaxation for five minutes to totally hydrate the cornmeal, making it simpler to form.
- Prepare dinner the arepas on medium warmth to realize a crispy exterior with out burning.
- For further crispiness, bake the arepas within the oven after pan-frying.
- Put together the Reina Pepiada filling whereas the arepas prepare dinner to save lots of time.
- Retailer leftover arepas in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 2 days, or within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
Diet Data
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 221kcal (11%)Carbohydrates: 4g (1%)Protein: 13g (26%)Fats: 17g (26%)Saturated Fats: 3g (19%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 7gMonounsaturated Fats: 7gTrans Fats: 0.03gLdl cholesterol: 39mg (13%)Sodium: 490mg (21%)Potassium: 298mg (9%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 144IU (3%)Vitamin C: 7mg (8%)Calcium: 17mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Discover: Diet is auto-calculated to your comfort. The place related, we advocate utilizing your individual diet calculations.
