Hello! This is Andrea from Homemade for Elle, and I am excited to be guest posting on Mommy Maleta today! This month, Laura is exploring Venezuela, so I wanted to share a recipe for a classic Venezuelan dish, called Arepas.
Arepas are flatbreads made from corn flour, or ground maize dough. It is commonly split in half, stuffed with various meats, veggies and/or cheeses, and eaten like a sandwich. They have a subtle flavor, making them a great vessel for spicy and flavorful fillings. Last month, I made chile verde arepas, and they were a huge hit in my house! This week, I wanted to try a sweet arepa, that my 5-year-old daughter would enjoy eating, too!
Arepas are easy to make, and a tasty gluten-free alternative to bread. If you have a few ingredients and about 20 minutes, you can have a dozen arepas, ready to fill with whatever you’re in the mood for!
Arepas
Makes 10 Arepas
- 2.5 cups water
- 2 cups pre-cooked corn flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, mix water, corn flour and salt together by hand, getting out all of the lumps. Cover with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes. Divide the dough into 10 equal balls. Flatten each ball into 1/2″ thick circles.
Heat olive oil over medium high heat, and add 4 arepas to the oil. Allow to lightly fry, about 5 minutes a side, then transfer to a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for an additional 15 – 20 minutes. When the arepas are done, it will sound hallow in the middle when you thump it. Use a knife to split the arepas.
Sweet Apple Filling
- 10 apples, peeled, cored and diced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Add apples, butter, sugar and cinnamon to a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until apples are soft, about 10-15 minutes.
To Assemble the sweet apple arepas
Add sweet apple filling to the split arepas. You can top with whipped cream or drizzle on chocolate syrup.
OK, Andrea, my mouth is watering! Thank you so much for helping us explore Venezuela with your awesome recipe for sweet apple arepas.
This is the final post in our Venezuela series. So if you didn’t see the first three parts of the series, be sure to click on the links below so you can explore.
Week 1: Map, Flag, & Country Facts
Week 2: Meet Marianna from Venezuela
Week 3: Venezuelan Inspired Waterfall Art Project
Be sure to stop by my Explore Venezuela board on Pinterest as well so you can see the most adorable little creature ever…The Venezuelan Poodle Moth!! When I saw the photo I didn’t believe it was real.
Follow Laura | Mommy Maleta’s board Explore Venezuela on Pinterest.