Arepas con Queso from Encanto

If you’re anything like me, your brain has been playing the songs from “Encanto” on repeat. Even my local radio station is playing “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” nearly a year later.

If you haven’t treated yourself to this delightful movie about the Madrigal family, then maybe you’re… Bruno?

The movie follows the story of Mirabel, who is born into a family with special powers – everyone except her.

It’s a delightful, colorful, and downright catchy movie that will make you want to cuddle up with your own mother and snack on some delicious Colombian-inspired cuisine.

Mirabel’s mother, Julieta, has special powers of her own. Her food has healing powers – quite literally.

And if you’ve ever felt “healed” (in mind, body or soul) after a delicious meal, you too know the good feeling that comes with delicious comfort food.

Origin Story of Arepas

Arepas con queso are cheesy corn cakes that originate in the country of Colombia, where Encanto is set. They are traditionally made with masarepa, also known as arepa flour. They are often served as comfort food – simple staples made at home or sold as street food for snacking on the go.

Arepas have been a staple of Colombian cuisine for centuries and have become a popular food item throughout Latin America. The origin of arepas is a bit unclear, but it is believed that they were first created by the indigenous people who inhabited the region that is now Colombia and Venezuela.

One of the things that makes arepas so special is their versatility. They can be made thick or thin, crispy or soft, and can be filled with just about anything you like. And while they are traditionally cooked on a griddle or skillet, they can also be baked or fried.

Picking the FLOUR for Arepas

Originally, arepas were made with fresh corn that was ground into a paste and formed into cakes. Over time, the recipe evolved to use pre-cooked corn flour, known as masarepa, which is much easier to work with. Masarepa is made by soaking corn kernels in an alkaline solution to remove the outer layer of the grain, then grinding the remaining kernel into a fine flour.

Yes, the flour you use in your arepas matters. Cornmeal is NOT the same as masarepa. Sure, they are made from the same stuff, but the main difference is that masarepa is precooked before it gets to the milling process, meaning it can absorb liquids and ultimately takes on a different texture when formed into a dough that can be shaped.

For this recipe, I found P.A.N. yellow corn meal (affiliate link) – I had to special order it because at the time, all of my local grocery stores were out. Fortunately, P.A.N. can usually be found with the international or Spanish/Mexican foods in a generic store or at a specialty Latino grocer if you are lucky enough to have one in your area!

You cannot substitute cornmeal or masa harina (the Mexican version of cornmeal) – you will NOT get the same results.

Forming Your Arepas

Arepas are thick cornmeal patties that are pan fried to perfection. To make the patties, the cornmeal must be almost a putty-like consistency. It will be a bit more firm than a regular dough but it should still take on shape – sort of like a corn-based clay.

To fill the arepas, first grab a few tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball between your palms. Then use your palms to flatten the dough to be about a quarter inch thick. If the dough is sticking to your hands, wet your hands with water to keep it from sticking. (If it’s super sticky, you may need to add more P.A.N. to thicken it up a bit more). The patty dough should be about 2 inches round and a quater inch thick.

For stuffed arepas, take two of the quarter inch thick patties and sprinkle a tablespoon of mozzarella on one half before pinching together the two halves. Mozzarella is the cheese that is traditionally used but you can totally swap out the cheese for a Monterey or spicy cheese instead. It should be a mild cheese that melts quickly and gives you a nice cheese-pull when you rip it in half.

Let’s Talk About BRUNOOOOOO

And when I say Bruno, I mean “let’s talk about the other ingredients needed to make a perfect arepa inspired by Encanto.”

• P.A.N. or masarepa – Colombian pre-cooked corn flour is absolutely essential and swaps cannot be made
• warm water – the temp helps to soften the flour and make dough
• soft cheese – mozzarella or even fresco can be used to stuff the arepas
• sea salt or butter – for sprinkling on top prior to serving

How to “Fry” Arepas

Arepas are traditionally pan fried to golden perfection. In the movie, Mirabel’s mom uses a flat top to cook the arpeas on both sides.

For recipe recipe, I recommend using a cast iron pan for the best results. Lightly greased or non-stick works to give that beautiful golden brown color. The arepas should be speckled brown and smell absolutely delicious.

I sprinkled a bit of sea salt on top of my arepas but in Colombia, when sold as a street food, they are usually slathered with butter or a sweetened condensed milk cream sauce.

No matter which way you serve it, you will certainly be singing and your soul will be healed after eating these arepas.

Originally posted June 2022