The arepa arepera is much more than just a meal, it is a symbol of identity, tradition and home for Venezuelans who have had to emigrate.
Whenever we find ourselves away from our homeland, the gastronomy becomes a way of feeling closer to home. The flavours, ingredients and, above all, the company that we share around a good meal, transport us to the moments we leave behind.
The arepaThe dish, so representative of our culture, has become an emotional refuge for those who live outside Venezuela.
But this particular recipe, inspired by a curious question from a 6 year old boy "is it the pear arepa?"invites us to rediscover it with a modern twist, fusing tradition with new flavours.
The arepa arepera that we share with you today is not only delicious, but also a reminder of what it means to keep our culture alive, even when we are far away from it.
In this article, we invite you to prepare this special recipe of arepa arepera with us. It is a perfect mix between the classic and innovativea tribute to the traditional arepa, but with a unique twist that you can't miss.
Get ready to savour a piece of Venezuelano matter where you are!
La Arepera, a concept inspired by children's curiosity
It all started with a simple but curious question. A boy from 6 yearshearing the word "areperahe asked innocently: "is it the pear arepa?".
That simple doubt was the spark that ignited the arepologist Ricardo Estrada the idea of creating a recipe that would mix the traditional with something a little different, something that would make us smile and remind us of how special food is when it is share with the youngest members of the family.
For many Venezuelans abroad, the arepa is much more than a food. It is a symbol of homea way to feel close to Venezuela.
When we prepare a arepaWe are not just cooking, we are recreating moments that connect us to our roots.
This is why this arepa arepera is not just another recipe, it's a way of reinventing something familiarsomething that never leaves us, but with a touch of freshness and originality that reflects the best of our culture.
In addition, the arepa is so versatile that it adapts to any filling, any flavour and any time.
This recipe, with its mixture of avocado, goat cheese, pear and arugulais an example of how traditional food can be transformed, without losing its essence, and offer us something new that makes us feel, in each mouthful, the warmth and the love for our land.
Step-by-step preparation: how to cook the perfect "Arepera".
Now that you know the story behind its origins, let's dive into the preparation of this delicious arepa arepera. With this recipe prepared as usual by Ricardo Estrada (@arepologo), you won't be able to resist eating one, two or three.
Necessary ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup of pre-cooked maize flour (ideally, the PAN flour)
- ½ teaspoon butter
- Pinch of salt (to taste)
- 1 large avocado (if possible)
- Natural goat's cheese
- Pear cut into thin slices
- Arugula
- Olive oil for the finishing touch
Preparation of the arepa dough
- Mix the basic ingredients: the first thing to do is to pour 1/4 cup water in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt to give it just the right amount of flavour. Then begin to add the pre-cooked maize flour little by little, gradually, while stirring to prevent lumps from forming.
- Leave to rest: Once the mixture is well incorporated, let the dough rest for about 2 minutes. This short rest helps the flour to absorb the water properly, which makes the dough softer and easier to handle.
- Knead the dough: after resting, start kneading the mixture with your hands. Add ½ teaspoon of butter to give the dough a softer and creamier texture. Knead until you obtain a uniform dough that does not stick to your hands. If it feels a little dry, you can add a little more water, but make sure it is not too sticky.
- Form the arepas: Once the dough is ready, form small balls with your hands and gently flatten them into the typical arepa shape: a thick disc, about 1 cm thick. If you like them round, you can use the palms of your hands to give them the desired shape.
Cooking the arepas
- Cooking in the budare: Preheat your budare or griddle to medium heat. Place the arepas on the hot surface and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side. The important thing in this step is that the arepas are nicely browned and crispy on the outside, but soft on the inside.
- Final baking: to make sure the arepas are well cooked on the inside, place them in a preheated oven at 250 °C for about 5 minutes. This will help them to finish cooking and get that perfect golden, crispy texture. If you prefer not to use the oven, you can still cook them in the budare, just make sure to cook them on a low heat so they don't burn and leave them for a few more minutes until they are cooked through.
Preparation of the filling
- Assemble the arepa: While the arepas are cooking, prepare the ingredients for the filling. Cut the avocado into slices and set aside. Then, take the pear and cut it into thin slices, trying to make them thin so that they integrate well with the other ingredients.
- Assemble the arepa arepera: When the arepas are ready, carefully open each one in half. Place the avocado slices inside, followed by the pear slices. Add a few slices of natural goat's cheese, which adds an intense but delicious flavour, and some rocket leaves, which add freshness and a slightly bitter touch to balance the flavours.
- Finally, sprinkle a little bit of olive oil over the filler to give it a smooth, glossy finish.
And that's it! You now have your arepa arepera ready to enjoy. This fresh and tasty filling is perfect for any time of the day: from a delicious breakfast to a light dinner.
Fancy cooking some more delicious arepas? Don't miss our recipes for arepa reina pepiada, Brazilian arepa, arepa tumbarrancho y Spanish arepa, they are finger-licking good!
The emotional value of cooking the arepa
For those of us who have had to migrate, food becomes an emotional refuge. Every traditional dish has the power to transport us to specific moments in our lives: family gatherings, end-of-year celebrations, lunches at grandparents' houses or simply those afternoons with friends where a arepaAny stuffing was enough to make you feel full.
When we cook dishes such as arepa arepera, we are reliving those memories. The simple fact of mixing the maize flour with the water, of kneading the dough, reminds us of mornings in the Venezuela, when the arepa was an essential part of the daily routine.
And it doesn't matter if we are in another country, on another continent, because when we cook it, we are maintaining that connection with what we were and what we continue to be.
Food, in this sense, acts as a universal language that not only nourishes us, but also enables us to follow connected to our roots. The arepa becomes a ssymbol of resistance, permanence and love for our land.
At CuriaraWe encourage you to cook these recipes and to share a special moment with your loved ones, remembering our wonderful Venezuela.
Upload your photos to social media using hashtags #arepaarepera #venezuelagastronomia #venezolanosporelworldwide #soyvenezolano #venezolanoseneuropa #venezuelasomostodos and tell us about your experience, we'd love to see your special touch!
Curiara, uniting families.
