Authentic Colombian cheese arepas with all the fixings
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Calories
358 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course, Appetizer
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Cuisine
Colombian
Authentic Colombian cheese arepas with all the fixings
Description
"Authentic Colombian cheese arepas with all the fixings" showcases a corn dough made from pre-cooked arepa flour combined with grated Jarlsberg cheese, salt, and oil. The dough is rested then shaped into thin patties filled with more grated cheese, providing a creamy interior contrast to the crisp exterior after cooking on a hot griddle or cast iron pan. Cooking develops a golden-brown color with slight char spots, enhancing flavor and texture.
The toppings include sliced ripe avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, chopped cilantro, green onion, pico de gallo, and a traditional Colombian spicy ají. These additions bring freshness, acidity, and heat that complement the rich, cheesy arepas.
To serve, the arepas are sliced open and loaded with the toppings, making a versatile dish suitable for breakfast, lunch, or as a savory snack. The combination of soft melted cheese inside and fresh, bright toppings outside exemplifies the appeal of this Colombian specialty.
Ingredients
Colombian cheese arepas:
- 1 cup water warm
- 1 cup Arepa flour also known as masarepa - Goya and P.A.N are common brands in North America, pre-cooked, white or yellow
- 1 cup Jarlsberg cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- Pinch salt
Toppings:
- ¼ cup Jarlsberg cheese grated
- 1 avocado sliced, ripe
- ½ pint cherry tomato cut in half
- ½ red onion diced finely
- cilantro chopped finely, fresh
- green onion sliced into thin circles
- ½ cup Pico de Gallo or your favourite salsa, Colombian style
- ⅛ cup ají https://immigrantstable.com/2018/05/18/spicy-colombian-aji-the-best-hot-sauce/, or your favourite hot sauce, Colombian variety
Instructions
- Pour water into large bowl. Add arepa corn flour, salt, oil, ½ cup of Jarlsberg cheese, and mix thoroughly to combine. Cover with a towel and let dough rest for five minutes.
- Working with moist hands, remove about 3 tbsps worth of dough and flatten them between your palms. Add 1 tablespoon of cheese in the middle, and top with a handful more dough, gently pressing to seal the cheese inside and form a patty about ¼ inch thick. If you’re after those perfectly shaped arepas, place each arepa ball between 2 sheets of wax paper or plastic wrap and flatten them to ¼ inch with a heavy cast iron pan. Repeat until you’re out of dough and cheese, transferring prepared arepas to a large platter.
- Preheat your budare (special arepas pan), griddle or cast iron pan to high heat. Season with oil or butter. Place the arepas in the pan and cook about 5 minutes on each side, until you achieve golden-brown colour and a beautiful char in spots.
- To serve arepas, cut them in half and put your favourite toppings inside. Drizzle with Colombian pico de gallo and aji.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 358 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 358kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 242mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 468mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 676IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 308mg | 31% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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