How to Make the Best Colombian Cheese Arepas: Traditional Recipe
Arepas Ocañeras, Arepas Santandereana, Arepas Boyacenses, Arepas de Huevo Colombianas, Bandeja Paisa, Ajiaco Colombiano
Who hasn't enjoyed delicious Colombian cheese arepas for breakfast or dinner? This traditional and popular dish is one of the most emblematic of Colombian gastronomy and I invite you to discover how to prepare them at home with this easy and simple recipe. Join me on this culinary journey through Colombian cheese arepas and let yourself be seduced by their irresistible flavor and aroma.
The Colombian cheese arepas recipe is usually served with coffee or hot chocolate in the morning.
What is a Colombian Cheese Arepa?
An arepa de queso is a popular Colombian quick snack where cheese is placed before cooking. It is a typical dish made with corn flour, water and cheese mainly. The "quesúa" or "arepa de queso" is made with different types of cheese (such as mozzarella or other fresh cheese), which are added to the arepas.
It gives you a Arepa con Queso?
| Main ingredient | Cheese |
| Cooking method | Roast |
| Main feature | Abundant cheese |
| Type | Traditional |
How to make Colombian Cheese Arepa?
This recipe is very simple, includes few ingredients and we are going to show you how to prepare it below with clear explanations, photos and even a video to serve as a guide.
Colombian Cheese Arepas - quearepas.com
Ingredients
- 1/2 cda Salt
- 4 tazas Water
- 4 tazas Corn flour
- 300 gramos Cheese
- 4 cda Butter
Instructions
- The first step is to place the water in a large bowl that allows to knead comfortably. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and the salt. Stir well.
- Then add the flour and grated cheese. To prevent lumps from forming in the flour, it is advisable to add little by little and stir until it is ready to knead.
- Knead for several minutes until a consistent but soft dough is obtained.
- Start forming the balls of the same size to create the arepas. A trick to make them more spectacular is to add cheese inside the bag of dough, making a hole that we will cover later.
- Once the arepas are formed, we put them to cook in a pan, frying pan or griddle. Let them cook for about 6 minutes per side and they are ready to eat.
Video
Why prepare Colombian Cheese Arepas?
Who doesn't like arepas? They are delicious, easy to prepare and make the perfect appetizer or snack. Arepas are very popular in Colombia and throughout South America, but their popularity is growing in the United States with good reason.
These small cheese empanadas are not only delicious and easy to prepare, but also nutritious. They are usually made with fresh corn dough that is mixed with water or milk and salt, and filled with various ingredients, such as cheese, ham, chicken, vegetables or eggs. The result is a small circular patty with a crispy exterior and soft interior.
Tips and tricks
Although the recipe for Colombian cheese arepas is relatively simple, there are some tips and tricks that can make the difference between a mediocre arepa and a delicious arepa. Here are some tips to make your Colombian cheese arepas perfect:
Tips to make arepas softer and fluffier
- Use warm water: Adding warm water to the dough instead of cold water can help the dough hydrate better and make it softer.
- Knead the dough well: It is important to knead the dough well so that it is homogeneous and smooth. If the dough is too stiff, add a little water. If it is too sticky, add a little more flour.
- Let the dough rest: Letting the dough rest for a few minutes before forming the arepas allows the ingredients to integrate better and the dough to relax, which helps the arepas to be softer.
Tricks to give more flavor to Colombian cheese arepas
- Use good quality fresh cheese: Cheese is one of the most important ingredients in Colombian cheese arepas, so it is important to choose a fresh and good quality cheese to make the arepas tasty.
- Add other ingredients: If you want to give a different touch to your Colombian cheese arepas, you can add other ingredients such as onion, garlic, cilantro or other condiments that you like.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Not using enough cheese: If you don't use enough cheese, your arepas can become dry and tasteless. Use about one cup of grated cheese for each cup of cornmeal.
- Cooking arepas on too high a heat: Cooking arepas on too high a heat can cause them to burn on the outside but remain raw on the inside. It is best to cook them over medium heat and turn them frequently so that they are cooked through on both sides.
Puedes ver otras Arepas Colombianas o ir a QuéArepas
If you want to know other articles similar to How to Make the Best Colombian Cheese Arepas: Traditional Recipe you can visit the category Colombianas.
