VENEZUELAN STUFFED CORN CAKES AREPAS Recipe

How to make it

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• INGREDIENTS
• 2 cups masarepa blanca (10 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 recipe corn cake filling (see related recipes)
• INSTRUCTIONS
• 1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 400 degrees. Whisk the masarepa, salt, and baking powder together in a medium bowl. Gradually add the water and stir to form a dough. Using a generous 1/3 cup of dough, form eight 3-inch rounds, each about 1/2 inch thick.
• 2. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 of the arepas and cook until golden on both sides, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a parchment paper–lined baking sheet and repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the remaining 4 arepas. (The arepas can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 1 month in a zipper-lock bag).
• 3. Bake until the arepas sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, about 10 minutes. (If frozen, increase the baking time to 20 minutes.) Split the hot arepas open using a paring knife or 2 forks as if they were English muffins, and stuff each with a generous 3 tablespoons of the filling. Serve immediately.