Crispy Mushroom Arepas

Vegetarian

Jan 30

An arepa is a golden, crispy-edged cornmeal cake with a tender, almost creamy interior, beloved across Venezuela and Colombia. It’s a versatile canvas for filling and is delish all on its own with a pat of butter, too. Precooked P.A.N. cornmeal helps this recipe come together in no time.

Crispy Mushroom Arepas

Servings: 8

Prep time: 20 minutes (plus time to rest the dough)

Cook time: 45 minutes

Total time: ~1 hour 15 minutes

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Ingredients:

For the Arepas:
- 2 tsp Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp Morton kosher salt
- 2 cups (326 g) P.A.N. precooked white cornmeal
- 1 tsp vegetable oil, divided, plus more as needed
For the Crispy Mushrooms:
- 16 oz maitake mushrooms or mushrooms of choice, torn or sliced into hearty bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 heaping tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- ½ a lemon, juiced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
For Serving:
- Creamy, stretchy cheese like Oaxaca, mozzarella, or Swiss
- Sliced avocado

Instructions:

Mix the Arepa Dough: Whisk salt into 2½ cups warm water until dissolved. Gradually add cornmeal, mixing vigorously with hands until smooth.
Knead and Rest: Knead for 2 minutes until dough is moist and tacky but not sticky. Adjust consistency if needed. Cover and rest for 10 minutes to 2 hours.
Prep the Mushrooms: Preheat oven to 425°F with sheet pan inside. Prep all mushroom ingredients.
Roast the Mushrooms: Drizzle hot sheet pan with oil, spread mushrooms in a single layer, and roast for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Add the Butter and Finish Roasting: Add butter and garlic to pan, return to oven for 3–5 minutes more until tender and crispy.
Dress the Mushrooms: Toss hot mushrooms with lemon juice, Worcestershire, and vinegar. Cover with foil to keep warm.
Shape the Dough: Divide dough into 8 balls, flatten into 4" discs, and cover with plastic wrap.
Cook the Arepas: Sear arepas in a hot dry skillet, 3–5 minutes per side, until golden and crisp.
Finish Cooking in the Oven: Transfer to a rack over a sheet tray and bake at 425°F for 4–5 minutes to finish.
Fill and Serve: Carefully slit arepas like English muffins. Fill with crispy mushrooms, cheese, and avocado. Enjoy!