Venezuelan Arepas

Step 1

Place the water, oil and salt in a large bowl. Mix to dissolve the salt.

Step 2

Slowly add the masa arepa, mixing as you add.

Step 3

Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and let the dough rest for 10 min. After resting, add 1 Tbsp water if the dough seems too dry to hold together well.

Step 4

Divide the dough into 6 roughly even pieces and shape each piece into a ½ inch disc (roughly 4 inches in diameter).

Step 5

Heat a cast iron griddle over medium high heat. Brush the griddle with a little oil and add the arepas.

Step 6

Cook the arepas for 3-5 minutes on each side, just to seal the dough. Then, reduce the heat to medium or medium low and continue to cook the arepas for 8-10 minutes per side, until golden brown and lightly charred, reducing the heat of your griddle as necessary. (The arepas should be puffed slightly and sound slightly hollow when tapped.)

Step 7

Remove the arepas from the pan and let them cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.

Step 8

If you will be filling the arepas, split them in half, nearly all the way with a sharp knife.

Step 9

Stuff and serve warm!!

Step 10

Preheat your oven to 350F.

Step 11

First, seal the arepas on a hot griddle, brushed with oil for 3-5 minutes on each side.

Step 12

Then, bake the arepas for 18-20 min, until they have puffed slightly and sound hollow when tapped.

Step 13

Let the arepas cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Step 14

Stuff and serve warm!!

Step 15

(If you plan to fry your arepas, you will need to make 12 rounds. Shape them into smaller discs that are ¼ inch thick.)

Step 16

Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet. (The oil should be about 370F.)

Step 17

Place the shaped arepas into the hot oil and fry for 10 min or until golden.

Step 18

Remove the fried arepas from the hot oil and let them cook on a paper towel lined platter.

Step 19

Serve warm!