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Cheese-Stuffed Colombian-Style Arepas Recipe

Name: Cheese-Stuffed Colombian-Style Arepas Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups masarepa (see note); 2 ounces (about 1/2 cup) finely crumbled queso fresco (optional, see note #2 above); 2 cups water, plus more as necessary; 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; Kosher salt; 1/2 pound mozzarella or other good melting cheese, sliced or grated; 2 teaspoons butter

4 servings

servings

15 minutes

active time

45 minutes

total time

Start Cooking

Ingredients

2 cups masarepa (see note)

2 ounces (about 1/2 cup) finely crumbled queso fresco (optional, see note #2 above)

2 cups water, plus more as necessary

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Kosher salt

1/2 pound mozzarella or other good melting cheese, sliced or grated

2 teaspoons butter

Directions

Preheat toaster oven or oven with rack in the center to 325°F (160°C). Combine masarepa, crumbled cheese (if using), water, and vegetable oil in a medium bowl and knead with hands until a dough is formed. Take a small amount and flatten it between your palms. If the edges crack, knead in more water, 1 tablespoon at a time until dough is supple and smooth but not sticky. Season dough to taste with salt, then cover and set aside for 5 minutes.

Divide dough into 8 even pieces and roll into balls. Working on a wooden cutting board or a regular cutting board with a sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper on top of it, flatten each ball down to a disk about 5 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick.

Place 1/4 of cheese into center of one disk, leaving a 1/2-inch gap all around.

Place a second disk on top and carefully seal the edges all around, trying to remove as much air from the center as possible.

Use one hand to shape the edges of the arepa so that it is an even round disk.

Melt butter in a 12-inch cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium-low heat (see notes). Add arepas and cook, moving them around the pan and rotating them occasionally, until first side is charred in spots and a dry crust has formed, about 5 minutes. Flip arepas and cook on second side until a dry crust has formed, about 5 minutes longer. Transfer to a baking sheet and place in oven until heated through and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving Size

makes 4 arepas

Calories

269 kcal

Total Fat

7 g

Saturated Fat

3 g

Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Trans Fat

Cholesterol

11 mg

Sodium

241 mg

Total Carbohydrate

47 g

Dietary Fiber

4 g

Total Sugars

0 g

Protein

7 g