«35 million people eat the arepa, so how could you not like it?»

Arepas are a staple food for both Venezuela and Colombia. If you’ve never had an arepa and you don’t know what it is you have come to the right place because I’m going to tell you everything you need to know! Then I’m going to show you step by step how to make basic arepas. Ok, lets get going!

You can think of arepas as the starting place for well… basically anything. They are eaten for breakfast, lunch, and even dinner. You can put whatever you like in an arepa including meat, cheese, veggies, and there are even sweet arepas! Whatever you like, you can put it in an arepa and make yourself a fantastic filling meal.

If I were going to compare arepas to something you have seen or eaten before, I can tell you what my American wife says to try and explain arepas to newbies. She tells them that they are kind of like English muffins, but the inside is more like grits. I’m not sure I completely agree with her, but that’s an American’s perspective on it for you.

What Are The Ingredients Of Arepas?

• 1 package of White Instant Corn Flour (35.2 oz), preferably Harina P.A.N.
• 2 liters of warm water (not hot)
• 1 teaspon corn oil
• 1 teaspon salt

Instructions

1. in a medium bowl add water and salt, mix util the salt dissolved
2. Add flour to it, slowly, making circular movements
3. let it rest for 5 minutes
4. preheat the grill over medium heat
5. after 5 minutes add the oil to the dough and work it with your hands for 1 minute
6. Pull off a large handful of dough and form a thick patty
7. Cook on a griddle until the sides start to turn a little brown and flip it
8. cook the arepas  for about 5-6 minutes

let the fun begin…