Arepa con Carne Mechada: a Venezuelan gastronomic tradition that conquers palates
Carne Mechada, Arepa Llanera, Reina Pepiada, Arepas de Queso, Chicharrones, Asado Negro
If you are a lover of Venezuelan food, you surely know that Arepa con Carne Mechada is a dish you can't miss. The combination of the soft texture of the arepa and the intense and juicy flavor of the carne mechada is simply irresistible. In addition, this meal is an excellent option for those looking for a complete and nutritious meal, since it provides carbohydrates, proteins and fiber.
Carne mechada, also known as carne desmenuzada or carne desmechada, is prepared by cooking the meat in a spice marinade and then shredding it to mix it with onion, paprika and other ingredients. This combination of flavors and textures, along with the freshly made arepa, makes each bite a unique and delicious gastronomic experience.
If you haven't tried Arepa con Carne Mechada yet, what are you waiting for? Dare to enjoy one of the best combinations of flavors and textures of Venezuelan gastronomy! I'm sure you'll love their flavor and you'll be surprised how easy it is to prepare them at home, you won't regret it!
What is an Arepa con Carne Mechada?
One of the most popular options are arepas with carne mechada. This filling is made with shredded beef that has been cooked for about 30 minutes until it is tender, flavorful and juicy. It is served by filling an arepa and topped with cheese or crema (a thick Venezuelan sour cream).
Arepa con Carne Mechada is really a delight, of course for meat and arepa lovers, a combination of flavors and colors that you can't miss.
Well, you may have tried it, it is your favorite and you eat it all the time. In Venezuela it is called carne mechada, in other countries or in certain regions, carne desmechada. The important thing is the exquisite and colorful flavor of this filling for arepas.
There are many combinations that are made in Venezuela with Arepa with Carne Mechada. Some people make arepa with shredded beef and white cheese, others make arepa with shredded beef and yellow cheese or arepa with shredded beef and avocado. It is all a matter of taste and all possible combinations are allowed, there are no limits. There are others who prefer arepas with grilled meat.
It gives you a Arepa con Queso?
If you've ever been to Venezuela, you've seen the arepa. These corn-based flatbreads are a staple of the country's gastronomic culture, and can be found everywhere from street vendors to upscale restaurants.
How to make Arepas con Carne Mechada?
The recipe for these delicious arepas can be found below, but now I am going to give you the general instructions and then you can consult the details, following the necessary step by step. Normally this arepa is prepared roasted, although there are people who prefer fried arepas with shredded meat.
- Sancooking the meat
- Marinate the meat
- Prepare the stew and cook it together with the shredded meat.
- Make the arepas
- Fill with the carne mechada
Arepas with Carne Mechada Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Meat cooking pot preferably pressurized to save time in the initial phase
- 1 Large frying pan for final meat preparation
- 1 Budare for arepas cooking
Ingredients
Ingredient for initial cooking of the meat
- 4 Tazas Water for cooking meat
- 1 Cucharadita Salt
- 1 Unidad Medium onion
- 1/2 Kilo Beef or beef for larding preferable the skirt type cut
Ingredientes para preparar carne mechada
- 1 Cucharada Butter or oil
- 1 Unidad Large onion chopped in small pieces
- 3 Dientes Crushed garlic
- 1 Unidad Red or green bell pepper chopped in small pieces
- 2 Unidad Ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 Kilo Carne mechada
- 1 Taza Broth in which the meat was cooked
- 1 Unidad Cilantro branch
- 1 Cucharada Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Cucharada Tomato paste
- 1 Pizca Cumin
- 1 Cucharadita Salt
- 1 Pizca Pepper
- 1 Cucharada Mustard
Instructions
Cooking process of meat prior to larding
- Bring the water to a boil in the pot over medium-high heat.
- Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1 coarsely chopped onion and the meat.
- Boil until the meat is tender enough to lard. If done in a pressure cooker it will cook faster.
- When the meat is tender, remove from the heat and let it cool a little so you can proceed to grill it, which you can do with your hands or with the help of a fork.
Preparation of the meat after larding
- Place a large skillet over medium-low heat until hot.
- Add 1 tablespoon of butter or oil and distribute evenly. Wait at least one minute for it to heat up.
- Add 1 chopped onion, stir well to avoid burning and sauté for a few minutes.
- Add the crushed garlic cloves and continue stirring for one minute,
- Add the shredded meat and mix well with the other ingredients.
- Add the chopped paprika and tomatoes. Stir and mix well.
- Add the cup of broth and stir well, you can add more broth to taste if you want the meat to be juicier.
- Gradually add all the missing ingredients: coriander, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, the pinch of cumin, salt, pepper and mustard.
- Cook for half an hour at medium low heat. While it is cooking you can prepare the arepas with the basic recipe we have published.
Notes
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information of an arepa with carne mechada may vary depending on the ingredients and the size of the portion. Here is an approximation of its nutritional composition based on a medium size arepa (70 grams) filled with carne mechada: Calories: 250-350 caloriesFat: 10-15 grams
Carbohydrates: 30-35 grams
Protein: 12-15 grams
Fiber: 1-2 grams
Sugars: 1-2 grams
Sodium: 300-400 milligrams It is important to note that the nutritional composition may vary depending on the amount and type of meat used, as well as the additional ingredients used for the marinade or sauce. Also, the addition of cheese or other ingredients may increase the amount of calories and saturated fat.
Preparation suggestions for arepa con carne mechada
- Choose a good meat: It is important to choose a good meat to get the best flavor and texture in carne mechada. Beef, such as brisket or roast beef, is a good choice for preparing carne mechada.
- Prepare a flavorful marinade: The marinade is key to flavor the carne mechada. Use a mixture of spices such as garlic, cumin, oregano, pepper and salt, along with vinegar or lemon, to marinate the meat and give it an intense flavor.
- Cook the meat on low and slow heat: Cook the meat on low and slow heat so that it cooks evenly and falls apart easily. You can use a pressure cooker to speed up the process, but be sure to follow the safety instructions.
- Shred the meat carefully: Once the meat is cooked, shred it carefully so that it is in small, uniform pieces.
- Prepare fresh arepas: Prepare fresh arepas using precooked corn flour and water. Knead the dough well and form the arepas, then cook them in a frying pan with a little oil until golden brown.
- Fill the arepas with the carne mechada: Fill the arepas with the carne mechada and add other ingredients such as grated cheese, avocado or salsa to give it more flavor and texture.
- Serve hot: Serve the arepa with carne mechada hot so you can enjoy all its flavor and texture.
Other combinations you can make
- Arepa with Carne mechada and yellow cheese
- Arepa with caraota and shredded meat
- Arepa with shredded beef and avocado
Remember you can see the recipe for Arepa Cabimera
You can continue to see arepas colombianas, arepas venezolanas or go to arepa
If you want to know other articles similar to Arepa con Carne Mechada: a Venezuelan gastronomic tradition that conquers palates you can visit the category venezolanas.
