Cheesy Stuffed Arepas
Description
An incredibly versatile staple that brings a touch of South American soul to the station house, perfect for a crew that needs a satisfying, handheld meal on the fly. These golden, pan-seared corn cakes are naturally gluten-free, making them a safe and hearty option for everyone at the table. Stuffed with a molten, savory blend of gooey mozzarella and salty, crumbled cotija cheese, these arepas offer a "built-in" flavor profile that is addictive on its own. Their true strength lies in their operational versatility: once seared to a crisp perfection, they can be split and stuffed with pulled chicken, shredded beef, or smoky pulled pork, transforming them into a high-protein feast. Serve with beans and rice for a full meal or take it as a snack on the go! Simple to cook and even easier to customize, they are the ultimate flexible fuel for a busy shift.
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 cups PAN cornmeal
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- olive or vegetable oil for frying
- 1-8oz block of mozzarella cheese
- 1-10oz block of cotija crumble cheese
- 1 1/2 pounds of chicken*
- 1-10oz can rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- *This recipe uses chicken, but you can substitute chicken for ground beef or pulled pork at an equal weight and season to desired flavor
Instructions
- Step 1- Pour warm water into a mixing bowl and add 1 tsp of salt, mix until dissolved
- Step 2- Add cornmeal to water and mix until dough is formed (if dough edges crack when shaping, add slightly more water)
- Step 3- Form round discs 1/2 inch thick (makes 12-16 discs)
- Step 4- Fry discs, set aside
- Step 5- Preheat oven to 365F
- Step 6- Brown chicken on both sides, add seasoning, tomatoes, and chicken broth, let simmer
- Step 7- Grate/crumble cheese and mix together, sprinkle over half of cooked arepas
- Step 8- Shred chicken, stack on top of cheese covered arepas
- Step 9- Cover with rest of cheese, top with other half of cooked arepas
- Step 10- Bake arepas in oven until cheese is melted, serve warm