The idea for how to make homemade arepas came to me from two different stages of my life: college student, and college professor. Let me tell you the story.
You see, while I was in college I was friends with a girl from Venezuela who introduced me to her arepas recipe. We used to hang out at her apartment, or mine and we would cook foods from our countries. I fell in love with arepas and their versatility.
Second inspiration
The second source for inspiration came from an old student, Sherette, from Trinidad and Tobago, who now works in the family's food delivery business called Mixes and Medleys. They make delicious looking salads, and other goodies, that I hope to try some day. Right away my culinary radar spotted a collaborative opportunity, and she was on board. But, there were some product delivery logistics that needed to be worked out.
It just so happened that Sherette was traveling from Trinidad to DC for a wedding, and there she would join up with some of her old college friends. One of these girls lives two hours away from me! How convenient.
Now to get the goods!
To make a long story short, I met up with my student's friend at a halfway point (an outlet mall) and she handed me the goods. We both laughed at how this was accomplished. The technological power of communication in the 21st century is amazing.
Anyhow, now that you know all about the inspiration for this recipe, let me tell you a little bit about it.
What are arepas?
Arepas, made with white cornmeal, are very popular in South America. There are different styles throughout the different countries. In Venezuela for example arepas rellenas (stuffed arepas) are very popular, and that is what I am making today. I am actually marinating the chicken in the tangy and divine mustard dressing that Sherette sent me. This is her mom's recipe, and it is outstanding.
Once you learn how to make arepas, the possibilities are endless. Watch my short video and you will become an expert at rolling out arepas!
Sherette and her family are so excited that their product is going to be featured on my blog, and I am thrilled I can use her family's dressing in one of my recipes. I can't wait to try the other sauces she sent. Stay tuned.
If you love Latin food then you have to try some of my all time favorite dishes or bookmark them for later. Here are some of the most popular ethnic dishes, their history and ingredients to make at home.
Mexican Pork Carnitas: Make this in the slow cooker and then broil for crispy goodness.
Cuban Ropa Vieja: A true comfort food of slow cooked beef served over rice.
Recaito: This is the very intense cilantro based ingredient used in many Latin soups, stews and black beans.
Sofrito: You need to have this tomato bases ingredient for Latin style beans and shredded chicken.
Latin Style Cuban Black Beans: If you have never tried these you are missing out and they are so easy!
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How to Make Homemade Arepas
Ingredients
Arepas
- 2 cups Arepa flour white masarepa pre-cooked
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 3 cups water
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
Chicken Filling
- 1 ¼ lb chicken breast
- ¾ cup Mixes and Medleys mustard salad dressing
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- ⅓ cup onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 4 Tbsp cilantro chopped
- 1 Tbsp Mixes and Medleys mustard salad dressing to add at the end
- 2 ½ Tbsp queso fresco crumbled
Instructions
To Make Arepas:
- In a large bowl mix together arepa flour, and Kosher salt.
- Slowly add in the water, mixing with a wooden spoon.
- Cover, and let it rest for about 25 minutes.
- Start making patties that are about 4" in diameter by ½" thick. You need this thickness so you can split them.
- Heat oil in pan (I use a cast iron skillet) to medium heat, and cook until the arepas are brown on both sides.
- Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.
To make chicken:
- Poke holes in chicken breast with a fork then place dressing in a large sealable bag, and put the chicken inside. Allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for about one hour
- Heat olive oil in non-stick pan on medium, and cook chicken covered, for about 5 minutes on each side. If chicken breasts are thick, you might need to cook longer.
- Place chicken on a cutting board, and shred using two forks.
- Place shredded chicken back in the same skillet, sprinkle in salt, and stir.
- Add onion, garlic, and cilantro and stir to combine. Cook for about 10 minutes on medium, stirring often.
- Add dressing and stir.
To assemble:
- Slice arepa in half lengthwise. Fill with about 4 oz. of chicken each. Sprinkle with queso fresco and cilantro. Top with other arepa slice, like a sandwich.
Abby @ WinsteadWandering
I've never made arepas, but these look amazing, especially with the chicken filling you added!
Analida
Thanks Abby!
You should give it a try.
Michele
Ive never heard of arepas, but now I am craving one. your descriptions are making me hungry! Pinned this to try after the holidays!
Analida
Thanks Michele! I hope you get to try them, and let me know how you like them.
Monica | Nourish & Fete
These sound amazing! I will be keeping an eye out for white cornmeal to try making them!
Analida
Monica, I use Goya white cornmeal. It's called Masarepa. If you cannot find it in the grocery store, you can most certainly get it on Amazon. You could also try a Hispanic market in your area.
Leslie
I’ve never heard of these before, but they look and sound amazing - pinning to try later!
Renee Gardner
I've never heard of arepas, but anything that involves me making the bread from scratch is a good thing! I've also never heard of arepas flour, which I doubt I would find around here. You mention that it's a white cornmeal. Is it coarse ground like yellow cornmeal or is finely ground like corn flour?
Analida
Hi Renee! I use Goya Masarepa. It's white, and finely ground. If your grocery store has an ethnic section, you will probably be able to find it there. Two other suggestions: Amazon,or if you have a Hispanic grocery store, they'll most likely carry it. I hope this helps.
Saima Zaidi
Not familiar with Latin food but these really look good!
Analida
Hi Saima, thanks for commenting. Yes, these are great and so simple. 🙂
Kate
I have never tried making arepas before. They sound so good! I need to look for a veg version to try out!
Analida
Hi Kate, you can certainly create a veg version. I am think you can probably do stir fried veggies as a filling.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
I've never heard of arepas but I love trying new recipes and this is right up my alley flavor-wise!! I really enjoy a good sandwich and with homemade bread you can't go wrong. This is definitely a dish to try.
Analida
Hi Marisa! Let me know how you like the arepas. We enjoy them at our house because they are easy to make, and you can do different things with them.
Julie
I love arepas - there is a great arepas food truck in our city that we always seek out. I've never thought about trying to make them at home!
Analida
I would love to have an arepas food truck in my town. It's so easy to make them at home.
Lois. O
Your arepas look so tender! I have never made them at home, I just have my coworker bring me some... lol. I will try these and maybe stuff them with beans and cheese
Analida
Stuffing them with beans and cheese sounds awesome. I will have to try that next time. 🙂 Maybe take some in to your co-worker.
Stacey
I haven't had one of these in so long, and I can't wait to try this recipe! Yum!
Analida
I hope you like my arepas recipe Stacey. Let me know how they turn out. 🙂
Tatiana
Honestly i never tried arepas before. Not to cook not to eat. Thanks for the recipe and for the inspiration!
Analida
You are welcome Tatiana. I hope you try them out.
Ashley
ok so i would really like to make these but im having an issue with the mustard dressing. Can i just use any brand of honey mustard dressing, or is mixes and medleys special?
Analida
Ashley, the Mixes and Medleys dressing is kind of a combo between an Italian salad dressing, and a mustard dressing. I would try combining both, and trying it out to get the flavor you want. Sorry, I hope this is somewhat helpful.
Mindy Romero
Hi, this recipe looks great. I'm so excited to try it. How long do you bake the arepas? I'm not sure if its missing in the instructions.
"Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about minutes"
Analida
Mindy, thanks for bringing this to my attention. You should bake them for 15 minutes.