Arepa de pollo is a delicious option from Venezuelan and Colombian cuisine that combines the softness of arepas (a kind of cornbread) with a juicy and flavorful shredded chicken filling.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of pre-cooked corn flour
- 2 1/2 cups of warm water
- Cooked and shredded chicken breast
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 1 finely chopped red bell pepper
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- Ground cumin
- Paprika (to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Vegetable oil for cooking
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix the corn flour with salt. Add the warm water and oil, and mix until you get a smooth and homogeneous dough.
- Let the dough rest for a few minutes to absorb the water.
- Divide the dough into portions and form balls. Flatten each ball with your hands to make disks about 1 cm thick.
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook the arepas on both sides until golden brown and a crust forms. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 10-15 minutes until they are completely cooked inside.
- For the chicken filling:
- In a skillet, heat a little oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until golden brown.
- Add the red bell pepper and tomato, and cook until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the shredded chicken breast, chicken broth, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat until the mixture reduces and has a juicy consistency.
- Open the arepas in half and fill them with the chicken mixture.
- Serve the hot chicken arepas and enjoy this delicious traditional dish! You can accompany them with your favorite sauces or side dishes.
This delightful arepa de pollo is a perfect choice for a comforting meal, filled with the flavors of Venezuela and Colombia. Don’t miss out on this culinary delight!
Bonus Recipe: Delightful Banana Cream Cheesecake
If you’re in the mood for a scrumptious homemade dessert, look no further than our Banana Cream Cheesecake recipe. This delightful treat combines the rich flavors of cream cheese and the sweetness of ripe bananas, creating a dessert that’s sure to please your taste buds. Plus, it’s easy to make! Let’s dive into the simple steps to create this heavenly dessert.
Ingredients:
- 20 Nilla Wafers
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 24 oz softened cream cheese
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup mashed bananas (approximately 2 bananas)
- ½ cup whipping cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Crush the Nilla Wafers in a blender or food processor until finely crushed.
- Add melted butter and blend until well combined. Press this crumb mixture onto the bottom of a 10-inch pan and refrigerate.
- Cheesecake Filling:
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese at medium speed until creamy.
- Add sugar and cornstarch, continuing to beat until well blended.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in mashed bananas, whipping cream, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Baking:
- Pour the cream cheese mixture into the prepared pan.
- Place the pan on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 200°F and continue baking for an additional 75 minutes.
- Cooling and Serving:
- Cool the cheesecake completely on a wire rack before removing the rim of the pan.
- Refrigerate the cheesecake, uncovered, for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Allow the cheesecake to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
Conclusion:
This Banana Cream Cheesecake is a labor of love that results in a velvety, banana-infused dessert that will impress your friends and family. So, roll up your sleeves, gather these simple ingredients, and treat yourself to a slice of pure bliss. Enjoy!