Directions: |
Directions:In a large bowl, combine flour, cheese, salt, baking powder and guar gum.. Blend eggs with the water and stir into the flour mixture to combine. Knead dough about 8 minutes until it becomes very soft and does not stick to your hands. Add more water to make the dough come together, if necessary and more flour if the dough is to sticky. Cover the bowl and let stand 3 to 4 minutes. The flour will absorb water, and the dough will stiffen as it stands.
Divide the dough into 16 portions. Wet your hands and form the dough into a ball and flatten it into a disk about ¼ inch thick and 3 ½ inches wide. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Pour 1 tablespoon oil into a 12 inch skillet with at least 2 inch sides, and heat oil over medium heat until it shimmers. While oil is heating, prepare the dough. Wet your hands and press all around the edge of the disk, eliminating any cracks. Flatten along the side, smoothing as you go. When you fry the arepas, if you have successfully eliminated all the cracks, steam will build up inside and they will puff and swell. Place on cookie sheet, cover with saran. When the oil is ready, place each disk carefully in the pan, and fry until golden brown, turning once during frying and frying for 4 to 6 minutes per side. Do not crowd pan. Add more oil, as necessary. Place on baking sheet and bake at 350ºF for 15 to 20 minutes until they puff up. Rotate pans in the oven. Drain on paper towels. To serve, slice warm arepas in half horizontally with a serrated knife. Fill with your favorite sandwich filling. |
This recipe for Arepas is from