An arepa is the number one food people eat in Venezuela. Today, I’m excited to be joining the “International Arepa Day” to celebrate this wonderful delish plate that I love! It is made with corn flour, not just any flour, the flour has to be precooked and the most famous brand is called PAN.

The arepa is eaten in all of Venezuelan’s homes, even at Venezuelans expatriates’ homes that are able to have access to some Harina Pan. Thankfully, over here in California there are many Latin markets that sell it and we’ve never had a major issue making arepas.

The arepa can be filled with so many things, the easiest one is cheese, or ham and cheese, then there are all types of meats, it can also be a combination of fillings, so many options!

We eat them at least once a week here at home. I love love love to make them for the family because it’s the perfect way to learn about their Latin culture plus I am teaching the kids little by little how to make them.

I already taught Derek! I’m so happy about that because sometimes he gets home before us and starts making arepas for dinner he doesn’t have to wait for me any longer, yay!

These arepas with tuna salad are the basic ones we usually eat, the kids devour them all the time. I use the Tosty Arepa or Arepa Maker to make the arepas which is not something that existed while I was growing up, they are usually made on a comal and the oven, it’s a shortcut but it helps a lot and they come out delicious, they even sell it on Amazon!

Also, the most traditional arepas are usually white, made with white corn flour. This flour is made with yellow corn, that’s the only difference.

In this recipe I don’t have exact measurements because I really don’t use them, there is a basic recipe in the flour bag that you can follow as well. It’s good to start with that and little by little start feeling the dough and being able to tell with your senses and your own taste what will work best. It’s a matter of practice.

TUNA SALAD AREPAS 

1. Fill a bowl with water (I use about 4 cups) and pour the PAN flour and some salt.
2. Stir with a fork and pour more flour until it starts to get thicker and thicker so you will need to mix with your hands, the dough can’t be too hard and not so sticky.
3. Knead a little.
4. Make dough balls according to the size of the Arepa Maker you are using. Place in the Arepa Maker and cook.

1. Mix a can of tuna, some chopped onion, chopped tomatoes, and mayonnaise. Add a little salt and pepper and it’s ready!

1. Open the arepa crosswise with a knife around the sides and take most of the dough out so there is a hole to put the filling in.
2. Spread a little butter inside.
3. Fill in with tuna and grated cheese. We like to use Trader Joe’s shredded 3 cheese blend which is similar to this one.

Follow the hashtag #DiaMundiaDeLaArepa to celebrate with us and eat an arepa wherever you are if you can!

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