Season 10 - Breakfast / S10B07
Arepas with Cheese and Ham
Story
Every Saturday morning, Don Luis would tie on his jean-and-leather apron, the one with his name stitched in gold, and wake the house with the soft *sizzle* of the griddle. He always said, “The best mornings begin with arepas and smiles.” 😄 Arepas were his bridge between generations—his mamá taught him, and now, he teaches the little ones. Today, it’s all about that *cheese pull* and crispy golden crust. When he adds ham and cheese inside a warm arepa, the kitchen turns into a concert of “¡Yummms!” and clapping hands. 🥰✨ Time, Calories & Cost
Ingredients
- 1 cup pre-cooked white cornmeal (like Harina PAN) 🌽
- 1¼ cups warm water 💧
- 0.25 tsp salt 🧂
- 1 tbsp butter (plus more for cooking) 🧈
- 4 slices of ham 🍖
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or queso blanco 🧀
- Optional: ketchup or mayo for dipping 🍅🥄
Instructions
- 1In a large bowl, mix warm water and salt. Slowly add the cornmeal while stirring. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- 2Knead in the butter until you get a soft, smooth dough. If it’s too dry, add a little more water.
- 3Divide the dough into 4 equal balls. Flatten each into a thick disc.
- 4Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a small amount of butter.
- 5Cook the arepas for about 5–6 minutes on each side, until golden and crisp.
- 6Slice each arepa halfway to make a pocket. Fill with ham and cheese while still warm so it melts beautifully. 🔥
- 7Optional: pop them back on the skillet for 1–2 minutes to melt the cheese more.
- 8Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
About the narrator
Don Luis · A character for three generations
Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.
Read our mission →