Venezuelan Arepas

Crispy corn cakes split and stuffed with any filling you can imagine.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pre-cooked corn flour (P.A.N. brand)
• 2.5 cups warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• Fillings: shredded chicken + avocado (reina pepiada), black beans + cheese, pulled pork

Method

1. Mix corn flour, water, salt until a smooth dough forms (like Play-Doh). Rest 5 min.

2. Form into 3" patties, 3/4" thick.

3. Cook on a dry griddle or skillet 5 min per side until a crust forms.

4. Transfer to 350°F oven for 15 min until they sound hollow when tapped.

5. Split open like a pita. Stuff with filling.

What You're Practicing

• P.A.N. brand pre-cooked corn flour is the standard — regular cornmeal won''t work.
• The griddle forms the crust, the oven cooks the interior. Both steps are essential.