Corn And Cheese Arepas Recipes

CHEESE-STUFFED AREPAS

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Stir together 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Gradually add the corn meal into the water, using your fingers to stir and combine, until a soft and moist dough forms.
• Divide the dough into 8 golf ball-size balls and pat each into a patty about 5-inches wide and 1/4-inch-thick.
• Put a cube of mozzarella in the center of each patty. Fold the dough over the cheese, making sure the cheese is completely covered and sealed. Pat it back down until 3-inches wide and 1/2-inch-thick (see Cook's Note).
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat until shimmering. Working in batches, cook the corn patties, until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side (making sure the oil is hot for each batch). Transfer to a cooling rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the edges are crisp and golden, about 10 minutes.

COLOMBIAN CORN AND CHEESE AREPAS

Steps:

• Combine the flour and sugar in a large bowl. Gradually add 3 cups warm water, mixing with your fingers, then work in 4 tablespoons of the butter. Knead to a soft dough.
• One cup at a time, knead in the cheese. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons more water if the mixture seems dry. Taste the dough (some cheeses are very salty), then knead in salt to taste, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. Continue kneading until the dough feels soft and smooth, with no lumps. Set aside to rest for at least 15 minutes, covered with a damp cloth.
• Heat the broiler or a grill over high heat. Divide dough into 11 portions, roughly 5 ounces or 1/2 cup each. Roll into balls between your palms and set aside on a tray covered with a damp kitchen towel. Flatten each ball into a thick circle, 3 1/2 inches in diameter, flat on both sides. Return to tray and keep covered.
• Line broiler or grill rack with aluminum foil and brush foil lightly with remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Arrange arepas on foil and cook about 4 inches from the heat source, turning once, until both sides are golden brown and speckled - about 10 minutes per side. Serve immediately, for breakfast (like corn muffins) or as an accompaniment to soups or stews (like corn bread).

AREPAS WITH CHEESE AND CORN

Steps:

• Put cornmeal in a large bowl with salt and cheese. Put milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steam rises, then add butter and stir until melted. Remove from heat and stir into cornmeal mixture until a thick batter is formed. Fold in the corn kernels, scallion, cilantro and chili if using.
• Let batter rest until it thickens into a soft dough, about 15 minutes. Gently form 3- to 4-inch balls from mixture and flatten with palm of your hand to a 1/2-inch-thick disk. (You can cover and refrigerate disks for a few hours if you like.)
• Heat oil in a large skillet and cook arepas, working in batches, until golden brown, about 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes on other side. When all arepas are cooked and cool enough to handle, carefully slice them through the middle. If desired, serve with butter or stuff with beans, vegetables or sour cream.

CHEESY CORN CAKES

Steps:

• Finely grind cornmeal in blender, 1/4 cup at a time. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in cheese, 2 tablespoons butter and salt. Add enough boiling water to mixture to make very thick batter. Stir in corn.
• Heat griddle or large skillet over medium heat with some of remaining melted butter. Working in batches and using 1 tablespoon batter for each corn cake, drop batter onto skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Serve hot.

AREPAS WITH CHEESE AND CORN

Steps:

• Put cornmeal in a large bowl with salt and cheese. Put milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steam rises, then add butter and stir until melted. Remove from heat and stir into cornmeal mixture until a thick batter is formed. Fold in the corn kernels, scallion, cilantro and chile, if using.
• Let batter rest until it thickens into a soft dough, about 15 minutes. Gently form 3-inch to 4-inch balls from mixture and flatten with palm of your hand to a 1/2-inch-thick disk. (You can cover and refrigerate disks for a few hours if you like.)
• Heat oil in a large skillet and cook arepas, working in batches, until golden brown, about 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes on other side. When all arepas are cooked and cool enough to handle, carefully slice them through the middle. If desired, serve with butter or stuff with beans, vegetables or sour cream.

CORN AND CHEESE GRIDDLE CAKES (AREPAS)

Steps:

• Put the cornmeal and salt in a food processor and process until finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the cheese and butter.
• Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until almost boiling. Gradually stir enough of the milk into the cornmeal mixture to make a very thick batter. Stir in the corn.
• Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray and set over medium heat. Drop half of the cornmeal mixture, 1 heaping tablespoon at a time, in 6 mounds in the skillet. Flatten slightly and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Spray the griddle cakes with nonstick spray and turn. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes, transferring them to a platter when they are done; keep warm. Repeat with the remaining cornmeal mixture to make a total of 12 griddle cakes. Serve with Pico de Gallo, if using.