Reina Pepiada Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Combine the arepa flour with the salt in a large bowl. Spread your fingers apart and make a claw with one hand and start circling the flour mixture while adding 1/2 cup water with your other hand. Make a fist a couple of times to bring the clumps of dough together, then squeeze to break apart any remaining larger dough pebbles. Repeat 3 more times, adding 1/2 cup water each time (for 2 cups water total) to the dry spots of the dough, squeezing out the pebbles, and combining the larger clumps.
• After the final addition of water, bring the dough together and incorporate any flour left in the bowl. Make a fist to squeeze the dough through your fingers and repeat until no more clumps remain. Bring the dough together again and let rest, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
• Poke a couple of holes in the dough and add 2 tablespoons water, then knead again. The goal is to get the dough dry enough so it doesn't stick to your hands or the side of the bowl, but not so dry that it cracks when you squeeze a little chunk of it between your fingers. If necessary, add 2 more tablespoons of water and knead to combine one more time. If the dough is too wet, sprinkle a flour in a little at time, then mix to combine. Let rest, uncovered, for another 5 minutes.
• Heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with an oiled paper towel.
• Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces -- each should weigh about 4 1/2 ounces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a disk about 3 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch tall. According to my mother, if the edges crack a little while flattening the disk, your dough is too dry. If this happens, add another tablespoon or 2 of water and let rest again.
• Working in batches, if necessary, place the disks in a single layer in the skillet and cook until a golden-brown crust has formed on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip and repeat on the other side, 5 minutes more. Reoil the skillet for each additional batch.
• Place the arepas directly on the oven racks and bake until crusty all over and the insides feel slightly hollowed out, 20 to 25 minutes. (Or if you're my mother, until you tap them 3 times, like a drum, and hear a deep "poh poh poh.")
• Serve immediately, plain, or with your favorite fillings. You can cut the arepas in half to make two half-moon pockets, or lay them flat, and cut halfway through the side to make one large round pocket. My favorite fillings are black beans, queso duro (aged, hard cheese) and crema, or the classic Reina Pepiada filling. Alternatively, you can store the arepas in a resealable plastic bag at room temperature for 3 to 4 days, or in the freezer, where they'll last for months.
• Combine the avocado, mayonnaise and lime juice in a medium bowl and mix, mashing the avocado with a fork as necessary. Stir in the onion, chicken, cilantro (if using), a sprinkle of pepper and a generous sprinkle of salt. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary. Serve with arepas and garnish with hot sauce, if you're into that.

Steps:

• For the filling:.
• Mix together the chicken, cilantro, mayonnaise, salt, pepper to taste, the avocados and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate. For the dough: Mix together the water and salt in a large bowl, and then slowly add the cornmeal as you mix with your fingers. Mix and knead until it forms a soft dough. When you can pick up all of the dough in one mass, it's ready to form the arepas. Divide the dough into 8 balls, then gently flatten and form into discs.
• Heat a lightly-oiled griddle or nonstick skillet over high heat. Preheat a grill to medium heat.
• Cook the arepas on the griddle until they release from the cooking surface and are able to be moved, about 1 minute 30 seconds, and then flip and cook the other side for another 1 minute 30 seconds. Transfer the arepas to the grill and grill until lightly browned in spots, about 5 minutes per side. The arepas are ready when they sound like a drum when tapped.
• Split the arepas in half, then scrape out and discard some of the middle. Stuff the arepas with the chicken mixture and eat while still piping hot.