Arepas con Queso (Cheese Arepas)

Ingredients

• 2 cups Masa Harina (pre-cooked corn flour)
• 1.5 cups Warm Water
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil

Instructions

1. 1In a medium bowl, combine the 2 cups of Masa Harina, 1.5 cups of warm water, and 1 tsp of salt. Mix with your hands or a spoon until a soft dough forms.
2. 2Knead the dough on a clean surface for about 5 minutes. Continue kneading until the dough feels smooth and pliable, like soft playdough.
3. 3Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
4. 4Take one ball of dough and flatten it into a disc about 4 inches wide and ½ inch thick. You can do this by pressing it between your palms or using a flat-bottomed glass.
5. 5Place ¼ cup of the 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese in the center of the flattened dough disc. Be careful not to overfill.
6. 6Gently fold the edges of the dough up and over the cheese, pressing them together to completely seal the filling inside. Pinch any seams closed to prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking. Repeat steps 4-6 with the remaining dough portions and cheese.
7. 7Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, about 350°F (175°C). The oil should shimmer but not smoke.
8. 8Carefully place the filled arepas into the hot skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side. The arepas are ready to flip when they are golden brown and slightly puffed. Continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes on the second side, until both sides are golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and gooey. The total cooking time will be about 10-12 minutes per arepa.

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