Ground Beef and Avocado Crema Arepas

Updated at: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:47:15 GMT

Step 1

Combine flour and 2 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton salt in a large bowl. Add 2 tsp. oil and 1 cup warm water and mix with a sturdy spatula or your hands to combine. If dough feels dry, add more water 1 tablespoonful at a time until it holds together. Smash and knead dough until smooth and no small clumps or dry bits remain (be patient and really knead it—it will hydrate and come together); it shouldn’t crack when you squeeze it. Cover bowl with a damp kitchen towel and set aside to let dough hydrate, 15 minutes.

Step 2

Halve chile lengthwise, removing seeds and membranes if less heat is desired. Place one half in a food processor. Finely chop remaining chile and set aside. Add avocado, ½ cup cilantro, and juice from 1 lime to food processor and pulse until mostly smooth. With the motor running, drizzle in 2 Tbsp. oil until a smooth sauce forms. Taste and season with salt.

Step 3

Turn out dough onto reserved parchment and divide into 4 pieces. Press and pat into disks that are 5"–5½" in diameter and ⅛"–¼" thick. Return disks with parchment to baking sheet.

Step 4

Heat 1 tsp. oil in a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Working in batches, add arepas and cook, turning once with a spatula and reducing heat to medium if they’re browning too quickly, until a crisp, slightly charred crust forms, 3–5 minutes per side. Transfer arepas to same baking sheet and bake at 325 until slightly puffed and springy, 10–12 minutes.

Step 5

While arepas bake, cook ground beef. Add chili powder and any other desired seasonings.

Step 6

Spread arepas with avocado sauce. Top with ground beef then cilantro, the rest of the serano, and cheese.

1 liked

0 disliked