The arepa is a pre-Columbian dish from the area that is now Venezuela & Colombia. Instruments used to make flour for the arepas, and the clay slabs on which they were cooked, were often found at archaeological sites in the area. Although it has not been specified in which country an arepa was cooked for the first time, it has been possible to define the oldest dates of the presence of maize in Colombia and in Venezuela. For example, In Colombia, the first record of the existence of corn dates from about 3,000 years ago, while in Venezuela the estimate is about 2,800 years ago. In other words, the creation of the arepa most likely happened almost simultaneously in both countries, but in a time that each territory was far from becoming two countries with demarcated borders.
Throughout its history, the arepa has stayed mainly unchanged from the arepas that pre-Columbian native peoples would have consumed, making the arepa one of the few pre-contact traditions that have remained popular in the years since colonization.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 1/2 cups Harina (pre-cooked white maize meal)
- 1 teaspoon corn oil
Directions:
- In a medium bowl add water and salt. Mix until the salt is dissolved.
- Slowly add the harina Mix with your hands, making circular movements and breaking with your finger the lumps that may form. Let rest 5 minutes to thicken.
- Preheat a non-stick 11-inch square griddle over medium heat. If you don't have a griddle you can use a skillet instead.
- After 5 minutes add the oil to the dough and work it in with your hands for 2 minutes. The dough should be firm enough holds its shape without cracking when molded. If it is too soft add a little more of harina; if too hard add a little more water.
- Form balls and flatten them gently until they’re about 1/2-inch thick discs.
- Place the discs on the preheated griddle and cook the arepas for 5-7 minutes on each side or until lightly golden brown.
- Split each arepa in half and fill them with whatever you like: cheese, ham, egg, beans, chicken, beef, tuna ... your creativity is the limit!
