Colombian Arepas with Cheese

Recipe Instructions

• In a container, mix the flour, butter, cheese, and a little salt.
• Mix well with your hands. We add one or two pinches of salt and continue kneading.
• Optional, at this point you can add half the packet of seasoning or saffron. Also add salt to taste, about two or three pinches more.
• Add water little by little until the dough has a good consistency.
• The dough should be smooth and without lumps.
• If you add a lot of water, just add a little more corn flour.
• Once the dough is ready, we put our plastic on the counter. Take some dough and put it in the middle of the plastic. Cover it with the other half of the plastic.
• With the rolling pin, flatten the dough. With the mold, we press on the dough to form our arepas.
• Remove the excess dough from around the arepa and transfer it to a plate.
• Now that you have all the arepas ready, let’s cook them.
• If you are using a skillet on the stove heat it at medium heat, but If you are using a griddle, heat it to 250-300 °F. Do not raise it above 350 °F because they can burn and not cook well inside.
• Put a little butter in the pan or grill on the surface where we are going to put the arepas. You can also put the butter directly on the arepa on the side that you are going to place towards the pan or grill.
• Place the arepas carefully. When you place it, move it a little so that the butter is well distributed and the arepa does not stick.
• Spread a little butter on top of the arepa.
• With the spatula, lift the arepa a little to make sure it doesn’t stick.
• Cook the arepa for about 4-5 minutes or until it is cooked on the first side. The arepa should be golden.
• Using a spatula, flip the arepa, being careful not to break it.
• Again, spread the arepa with a little butter on top so it doesn’t dry out. Likewise, make sure the arepa does not stick by lifting it a little with the spatula.
• Cook the arepa for 4-5 more minutes or until well cooked.
• We turn the arepa once more and leave it for 3-4 more minutes so that it is well-toasted. You can put a little more butter on top of what you cook.
• Transfer the arepa to a plate.
• Ready, your arepa is ready to enjoy. You can accompany it with cold meat or a good sauce.
• Enjoy!