Best Fried Masa Cakes With Cheese Arepas De Queso Recipes

Cheese-Stuffed Arepas image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories appetizer

Time 50m

Yield 8 arepas

Number Of Ingredients 4

Kosher salt
2 cups pre-cooked white corn meal, such as P.A.N.
4 ounces part-skim mozzarella, cut into 8 cubes
1/4 cup vegetable oil, or as needed

Steps:

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
Stir together 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Gradually add the corn meal into the water, using your fingers to stir and combine, until a soft and moist dough forms.
Divide the dough into 8 golf ball-size balls and pat each into a patty about 5-inches wide and 1/4-inch-thick.
Put a cube of mozzarella in the center of each patty. Fold the dough over the cheese, making sure the cheese is completely covered and sealed. Pat it back down until 3-inches wide and 1/2-inch-thick (see Cook's Note).
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat until shimmering. Working in batches, cook the corn patties, until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side (making sure the oil is hot for each batch). Transfer to a cooling rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the edges are crisp and golden, about 10 minutes.

Fried Masa Cakes with Cheese (Arepas de Queso) image

Yield Makes 12 arepas

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 1/2 cups white arepa flour (precooked cornmeal)
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup grated mozzarella
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Steps:

Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan, then remove from heat and stir in butter.
Combine arepa flour, salt, sugar, and mozzarella in a large bowl.
Add hot milk and stir until combined. Let mixture stand until milk is absorbed enough for a soft dough to form, 1 to 2 minutes (dough will continue to stiffen).
Form dough into 12 balls (about 2 inches in diameter) and flatten between palms into 3 1/2- to 4-inch patties (about 1/3 inch thick).
Heat ‚ tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over moderately low heat until hot, then cook 3 or 4 arepas until cooked through and golden in patches, 6 to 8 minutes on each side. Make more arepas in same manner, adding oil as needed.