Pork and Cheese Arepas

Ingredients

• For the Arepas:
• 2 cups pre-cooked cornmeal (Harina PAN) 🌽
• 2 ½ cups warm water 💦
• 1 tsp salt 🧂
• 1 tbsp butter, melted 🧈
• For the Pork Filling:
• 1 lb pork shoulder, shredded 🐷
• 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 0.5 small onion, diced 🧅
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 tsp cumin ✨
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
• 0.5 tsp oregano 🌿
• 0.5 tsp salt 🧂
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 cup chicken broth 🍗
• For the Cheese:
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or queso fresco 🧀
• For Serving:
• Avocado slices 🥑
• Fresh cilantro 🌿
• Lime wedges 🍋

Instructions

1. 1Step 1: Prepare the Pork Filling
2. 21️⃣ In a pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. 🧄🔥
3. 32️⃣ Add shredded pork, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
4. 43️⃣ Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 15 minutes until juicy and flavorful. Set aside. 🍗✨
5. 5Step 2: Make the Arepa Dough
6. 64️⃣ In a bowl, mix pre-cooked cornmeal, salt, and warm water. Stir until a soft dough forms. Let it rest for 5 minutes. 🌽💦
7. 75️⃣ Knead in melted butter, then divide into 8 equal portions. Shape each into a thick disc. 🧈✨
8. 8Step 3: Cook the Arepas
9. 96️⃣ Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Cook each arepa for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and crispy. 🔥🌽
10. 10Step 4: Assemble the Arepas
11. 117️⃣ Slice open each arepa and stuff with shredded pork and cheese. Let the heat melt the cheese. 🐷🧀
12. 128️⃣ Serve with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. 🥑🍋