Arepas

Arepa is the national dish of both Venezuela and Colombia and is prominent in Latin American cuisine. In some countries it is even referred to as a tamale. The dough mainly consists of white pre-cooked  cornmeal flour. The popular cornmeal brand of choice is called Harina PAN and it is sold in Massy Stores, Ridgewood, Arima, Trinidad and Tobago.

Arepas can be bought at Tamryn's on Mucurpo Road, Port of Spain or at Antojostt at the San Antonio Green market in Santa Cruz. They are also usually sold at Indian Expos in the dome, opposite the Centre of Excellence in Macoya.

In Latin America, arepas are made for breakfast and are even sold on the streets by vendors. There are cafes in Venezuela called Areperas, where people can go and have arepas. Arepas can be filled, after they are cooked, with meat, cheese, scrambled eggs, chicken salad, tuna salad, fried plantain an cheese, and black beans and cheese. Below is a picture of an arepa stuffed with stew shredded beef and Queso Blanco (White cheese).

Arepa Recipe
1 cup pre-cooked white cornmeal
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. margarine or butter
1 1/4 cup warm water

Method

Put the flour, sugar an salt in a bowl; add water little by little while mixing with your hand.
When the dough is at a certain consistency, add the margarine and mix well, the dough should be smooth, firm but not dry and hard.
Form dough into three or six balls(depending on how big you want your arepas to be) of equal size.
Shape and flatten with the palm of your hands into round cakes; arepas should be 1/2 inch thick.Shape edges to smooth.
Pre-heat oven to 350°.
Heat a baking stone/griddle or frying pan on medium heat and coat with corn oil.
Cook for 2 minutes on each side until arepas begin to brown and form a crust.
Transfer arepas to baking sheet coated with corn oil.
Bake at  350° or until arepas sound hollow when lightly tapped.
Cut arepas open and fill with meat, eggs or cheese. Ketchup is a no-no; pepper sauce however compliments it well.

Arepas are usually served for breakfast with a hot cup of coffee or chocolate.