The World Cook

Colombia

Group H | South America

Arepas

A classic snack found in Bogota and beyond. Arepas can be found in many varieties including these vegetarian friendly versions here. In 2014, a giant bug stole the spotlight from James Rodríguez and in 2018, these arepas will take center stage.

The dough from My Colombian Recipes is easy to make, but takes practice to perfect. Coach is sure you'll be making arepas as stellar as James in no time.

Time 1hr
Makes 4
Difficulty Professional
Units Imperial Metric

Ingredients

4 Scallions
4

4

Scallions chopped
3 Tomatoes
3

3

Tomatoes diced
3 tbsp Vegetable oil
3 tbsp

3 tbsp

Vegetable oil
2 cloves Garlic
2 cloves

2 cloves

Garlic minced
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp

1 tsp

Cumin
680g Masarepa
2 cups

680g

Masarepa
56g Butter
4 tbsp 3 tbsp

56g 42g

Butter
¼ tsp Salt
¼ tsp

¼ tsp

Salt
225g Queso fresco
½ lb

225g

Queso fresco shreeded

1

For the hogao sauce, dice the scallions and tomatoes. Bring the oil to a medium heat in a large frying pan and add the garlic, scallions and tomatoes. Season with cumin, salt and pepper.
2

Cook for ten minutes until mushy, set aside.
3

In a large bowl add the masarepa, 1/2 cup175ml of the butter and salt. Slowly add 2 cups500ml of hot water, about 1/2 cup175ml at a time. Knead with hands until a dough begins to form.

Coach's tip Dough should be moist enough roll into balls, but not sticking to your hands.

Coach's tip Dough should be moist enough roll into balls, but not sticking to your hands.
4

Wet your hands and roll the dough into six equal-sized balls.
5

Lightly flour your work surface. Working one at a time, cover the ball with parchment paper and press into a 1/3" circle, about 5" in diameter.
6

Once you have six circles, fill the arepas. Add 3-4 tbsp of cheese to the center of the circle.
7

Dab water around the outside edge of the circle and place another circle on the top. Press together the edges of the circles together and seal the cheese inside.

Coach's tip If dough begins to crack, wet your finger and rub the crack to seal it.

Coach's tip If dough begins to crack, wet your finger and rub the crack to seal it.
8

On a high setting, melt the rest of the butter in a grill or cast iron pan. Fry arepas on one side until brown and nice grill marks have formed. Flip and cook on the other side.
9

Serve topped with hogao sauce, or enjoy plain.