It may be crammed with cheese or made right into a sandwich type dish. On this utility, we’ll prime it with an array of issues to actually deliver layers of taste to the desk (so to talk). In addition to the arepas themselves, there will probably be two different essential elements. The braised beef, which implies to cook dinner slowly in liquid; and the herb sauce, which is rooted within the ever fashionable chimichurri.
For the Arepas:
2 cups heat water
2 cups maseca (instantaneous corn masa flour)
1 tsp salt
2 tablespoons softened butter (optionally available)
Dissolve salt in heat water.
In a bowl, add cornmeal and slowly incorporate water, mixing totally. Palms work greatest right here. Proceed including water till the dough is easy but agency and would not stick with your palms very simply. Forming the dough, you don’t need any cracks. If this occurs as just a little extra water a teaspoon at a time. At this level, I like so as to add some softened butter for richness however it’s not vital. Kind dough into patties in regards to the dimension of the palm of your hand. I often put aside on parchment. In an oiled skillet, fry arepas on medium excessive warmth on both sides till crisp. Do not be afraid to get some good darkish colour on them!
For the meat:
3-4 kilos chuck roast
1 onion
2 celery stalks
2 carrots
1 purple bell pepper
6 garlic cloves
2 thyme sprigs
2 rosemary sprigs
4 bay leaves
3 cups purple wine (burgundy cooking wine works properly right here)
Beef inventory
Salt
Pepper
Vegetable oil
I like to make use of a Dutch oven for this as you possibly can sear the meat, cook dinner veggies, and braise every little thing within the oven all in the identical vessel.
If you do not have one, you possibly can simply start cooking every little thing in a skillet or two and transfer right into a casserole dish for the oven portion. Begin by chopping your veggies.
With regards to the garlic, I like to easily smash them however depart them pretty entire.
Start heating up a couple of tablespoons of oil. Season the meat generously and sear on all sides for about 5 minutes, you need the meat brown and crispy. Put aside.
Add chopped carrots and cook dinner about ten minutes till barely tender. Now add the opposite veggies (not the garlic but) season with salt and pepper and cook dinner, stirring often till onions, celery and bells have begun to melt.
Add your garlic and cook dinner till aromatic (1-2 minutes). Then add the wine, scraping up all of the tasty bits from the underside of the pan. Return the meat to the pot and add the herbs and beef inventory (or water) and canopy. Place in oven at 300 levels for 3 hours or till tender. You should definitely take away and discard any herb stems and cartilage.
For the sauce:
1/2 cup parsley
1/2 cup cilantro
3 tablespoons oregano leaves
3 tablespoons mint leaves
Half a shallot
4 garlic cloves
1/4 cup purple wine vinegar
2 tablespoons agave or honey
3/4 cup olive oil
Juice from a lime
Salt and pepper to style
Mix herbs, shallot, garlic, lime juice and vinegar in a meals processer or blender and pulse till largely chopped. Season with salt and pepper. Slowly add the oil with the machine on till properly mixed.
Meeting:
High arepa with beef, queso fresco, diced tomato, chopped inexperienced onion, and grated contemporary radish. On the restaurant I actually wish to put eggs in issues, so this often will get topped with a poached or fried egg; however it’s utterly as much as you.
Drizzle with sauce and luxuriate in!
Adam Romo is the top cook dinner at The Cracker Field.