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Discover the Flavors of Colombia: Cheese-Stuffed Arepas with Hogao Sauce

Imagine sinking your teeth into a crispy, golden-brown corn cake, filled with a blend of creamy cheeses and served with a side of savory, pan-fried tomato scallion sauce. Sounds like a culinary dream come true, right? Our senior video producer, Guillermo Riveros, has brought this delicious Colombian treat to life, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

The Magic of Arepas

Arepas are traditional Colombian corn cakes that can be stuffed with a variety of ingredients. In this recipe, we’re focusing on the ultimate comfort food: cheese. But not just any cheese – a mix of mozzarella, edam, parmesan, and feta that will leave you wanting more.

What You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, make sure you have the right type of cornmeal. Look for pre-cooked white cornmeal, labeled as “harina de maiz refinada precocida” or “masarepa.” You can find it online or at stores like Walmart and Target.

Easy Arepas Recipe

To make the arepas, combine 1 ½ – 2 cups of warm water with 2 cups of pre-cooked white cornmeal. Add 1 tablespoon of softened butter and 1 teaspoon of salt, then knead until you have a smooth dough. Mix in ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup of grated edam cheese, ¼ cup of grated parmesan, and ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese.

Forming the Arepas

Wet your fingers with water and shape the dough into fist-sized balls. Flatten them into discs, about 1/2 inch thick. Melt butter in a non-stick pan or spray cooking spray on a griddle. Cook the arepas for 5-7 minutes on each side, until they’re golden brown.

The Cheesy Twist

To make them extra cheesy, combine your desired amount of shredded, grated, and crumbled cheeses. Once the arepas are cooked, let them cool for a couple of minutes, slice them in half, and stuff with the cheese blend. Close again and finish on low heat until the cheese is melted.

Hogao Sauce: The Secret Ingredient

This pan-fried tomato scallion sauce is the perfect accompaniment to your cheesy arepas. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan, then add 1 cup of chopped scallions and cook until fragrant. Add 1 clove of garlic, minced, and cook for another minute. Then, add 2 cups of fresh chopped tomatoes, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of ground pepper, and 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened.

Time to Get Cooking!

With these easy steps, you’ll be enjoying your very own cheese-stuffed arepas with hogao sauce in no time. So go ahead, give it a try, and experience the flavors of Colombia in the comfort of your own kitchen!