ENCANTO-INSPIRED AREPAS CON QUESO WITH AVOCADO MASH RECIPE BY TASTY

Encanto-Inspired Arepas Con Queso With Avocado Mash Recipe by Tasty image

Provided by Mariana Velasquez

Categories Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 4 arepas

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup pre-cooked white cornmeal
1 cup water
½ teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons grated queso blanco
nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for serving
2 Hass avocados, small, ripe, peeled, pitted, and cubed
1 lime, juiced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Steps:

Make the arepas: Add the cornmeal to a medium bowl. Pour in the water, then add the salt and stir with a rubber spatula to combine. The dough will look quite wet at first, but will absorb the water as you stir.
Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and roll into an 8-inch long, 2-inch (5 cm)-wide log. Cut into 4 equal pieces.
Flatten one piece of dough in the palm of your hand into a 4-inch-wide disc. Place 1 tablespoon of queso blanco in the center, then fold the dough around the cheese to encase. Flatten the dough again into a 4½-inch-wide disc (if some cheese peeks out, pinch the dough closed around it. Repeat with the remaining dough and cheese.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Grease the pan with nonstick spray, then add the arepas to the pan and cook, without disturbing, until a crispy, golden brown crust forms, 3½-4 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown on the other side, 3-4 minutes more (some cheese may ooze out a bit; it will sear and add a delicious texture to the arepa).
Meanwhile, make the avocado cilantro mash: Add the avocado, lime juice, red pepper flakes, and salt to a medium bowl and mash with a fork to combine.
Spread the butter over the arepas, then serve with the avocado mash and a sprinkle of cilantro.
Enjoy!