Best 2 Arepas With Pulled Pork And Pickled Onion Recipes

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Arepas, a traditional Venezuelan dish, are delectable corn cakes that form the perfect base for a variety of fillings. In this article, we'll explore the harmonious fusion of flavors in two delightful arepa recipes: one featuring tender pulled pork and tangy pickled onions, and the other showcasing a vibrant combination of black beans, sweet plantains, and creamy avocado.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

PULLED PORK AREPAS



Pulled Pork Arepas image

Say good-bye to hamburger buns. Barbecued pulled pork just found a new home in arepas (griddled Venezuelan corn patties). Topped with a creamy cilantro and lime-spiked slaw, these American South-meets-South America pockets are a worthy mash-up.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Juice of 1 lime
16 pickled jalapeno slices, plus 2 tablespoons brine
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
3 scallions, thinly sliced
2 cups pre-cooked white cornmeal, such as P.A.N.
4 ounces part-skim mozzarella, sliced 1/4-inch thick and cut into eight 2 1/2-inch squares
1/4 cup vegetable oil
8 ounces warm pulled pork

Steps:

  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
  • Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, lime juice, jalapeno brine, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add the cabbages, cilantro and scallions and toss. Let sit for 15 minutes.
  • Stir together 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Gradually add the cornmeal to the water, using your fingers to stir and combine, until a soft and moist dough forms.
  • Divide the dough into 8 balls and pat each into a patty about 5 inches wide and 1/4-inch-thick.
  • Put a cube of mozzarella in the center of each patty. Fold the dough over the cheese, making sure the cheese is completely covered and sealed. Pat it back down until 3 1/2 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat until shimmering. Working in batches, cook the corn patties until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side; make sure the oil is hot for each batch. Transfer to a cooling rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the edges are crisp and golden, about 10 minutes.
  • When the arepas are cool enough to handle, use a thin serrated knife to slice a third of the way through each. Then use the knife tip to cut open the center of each to form a pocket, taking care to keep the sides intact. Wipe down the knife between cuts to remove any sticky cornmeal. Stuff each arepa with some pulled pork, jalapenos and coleslaw.

AREPAS WITH PULLED PORK AND PICKLED ONION



Arepas with Pulled Pork and Pickled Onion image

Categories     Fruit Juice     Onion     Pork     Bake     Marinate     Cocktail Party     Cinco de Mayo     Vinegar     Mozzarella     Orange     Spice     Pan-Fry     Gourmet

Yield Makes about 60 hors d'oeuvres

Number Of Ingredients 26

For pickled onion
1 medium red onion, cut into 3/4-inch-wide wedges, then very thinly sliced crosswise
1 to 2 fresh habanero or Scotch bonnet chiles, seeded, deveined, and very finely chopped
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican), crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
For pork
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon whole allspice
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 tablespoons achiote (annatto) seeds
6 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican), crumbled
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
3 pound pork shoulder chops (3/4 inch thick)
1/2 cup water
For arepas
3 cups whole milk
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 1/2 cups white arepa flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup coarsely grated mozzarella (5 ounces)
2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Make pickled onion:
  • Stir together all pickled onion ingredients in a bowl and chill, covered, at least 12 hours.
  • Marinate pork while onion chills:
  • Toast cumin, allspice, and peppercorns together in a dry heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Finely grind toasted spices with achiote in an electric coffee/spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Mince garlic and mash to a paste with salt using a heavy knife, then transfer to a 2 1/2- to 3-quart shallow glass or ceramic baking dish. Stir in spice mixture, oregano, orange juice, and vinegar. Add pork and rub meat all over with marinade. Marinate pork, covered and chilled, at least 2 hours.
  • Cook pork while onion chills:
  • Preheat oven to 325°F.
  • Bring pork to room temperature, then add water to baking dish and cover tightly with foil. Bake in middle of oven until very tender, 1 3/4 to 2 hours. (Leave oven on.)
  • Uncover pork and, when cool enough to handle, shred meat on a cutting board, discarding bones and excess fat. Transfer meat and any juices accumulated on cutting board to baking dish.
  • Make arepas while pork cooks:
  • Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan, then remove from heat and reserve 1/2 cup in a small bowl. Add butter to remaining 2 1/2 cups hot milk and stir until melted.
  • Toss together arepa flour, sugar, salt, and mozzarella in a large bowl. Add hot milk with butter and stir until combined. Let mixture stand until milk is absorbed, 1 to 2 minutes (dough will be soft; it will continue to stiffen as it stands).
  • Form 1 level tablespoon dough into a ball. Flatten ball to a 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-inch-diameter disk and transfer to a wax-paper-lined tray. Form more disks with remaining dough in same manner, stirring in some of reserved milk if dough becomes too stiff and edges of disks crack when flattened.
  • Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately low heat until hot, then cook arepas in batches of 10 to 12, turning over once, until golden in patches, 8 to 12 minutes total. (Add more oil to skillet between batches as needed.) Transfer to baking sheets as cooked.
  • Reheat arepas in batches as needed, covered with foil, until heated through, 10 to 15 minutes, then top with pork and pickled onion. Serve warm.

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your arepas and pulled pork.
  • Don't overmix the masa harina. Overmixing will make the arepas tough.
  • Cook the arepas over medium heat. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from burning.
  • Shred the pork before cooking it. This will help it cook more quickly and evenly.
  • Use a flavorful liquid to cook the pork. This could be anything from chicken broth to beer.
  • Simmer the pork for at least 2 hours. This will help it become tender and juicy.
  • Make the pickled onions ahead of time. This will allow the flavors to develop.
  • Serve the arepas with your favorite toppings. This could include anything from cheese to avocado to salsa.

Conclusion:

Arepas with Pulled Pork and Pickled Onions is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. The arepas are soft and fluffy, the pulled pork is tender and juicy, and the pickled onions add a bright and tangy flavor. This dish is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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