Ever heard of an arepa? It's definitely okay if you haven't, they aren't from the good ol, US of A. But they're delicious. And when I say they are delicious I mean it's a totally different flavor experience, folks. Give them a try, trust me you will NOT be disappointed.
An arepa is a sort of corn bread pancake filled with chicken or beef or pork or whatever your little heart desires. They are eaten mostly in Venezuela and Colombia so if you want to find the best arepas it would be wise to go to a restaurant that is Venezuelan or Colombian own (or at least South American owned) because they will make them the best.
Today I went to a restaurant in Connecticut called Valencia Luncheria. It's small and quaint, there can't be more than 20 seats in the place, but they make a ridiculous arepa there. There are about 2 zillion different combination's they offer (I'm lying, there's 19. But that's still a lot). I ordered the carlo, it has chicken, avocado, this white cheese (I honestly don't know what kind of cheese it was but it was divine) and fennel.
Google it, son.
I find that the secret to any good dish is making each individual ingredient taste delicious so the final product will be that much better. The chicken in my arepa was dark meat (I just love the dark meat from a chicken, I never quite understood how people preferred white meat, it's so much dryer) which made it moist and delicious.
There was a perfect amount of avocado and the white cheese blended perfectly with the flavors from the chicken, avocado and fennel. And that corn cake that it comes on? Dear God that thing is lovely. It has a pungent flavor, but not overpoweringly so. I feel like the corn cake of the arepa is truly what will make the dish come together.
If you watch Throwdown with Bobby Flay (And let me just say I totally respect Bobby Flay because most of the time he throws down with anybody he loses, so kudos Bobby Flay) he did an arepa throw down (he lost, sad day) and it made me want to have one because they look so delicious. And now I have, which is most excellent.
He's happy, for now.
For those of you who live in New York City, good news! There is a delicious arepa restaurant called Caracas (it's actually owned by the same people who took on Bobby Flay--so you know it's good stuff) which is one of the best in the country. In fact, when you Google the word 'arepa' it is the third hit.
So eat them up, people! You won't be disappointed. Have you ever had an arepa? If you have what is your favorite flavor combination?
Recommend
Comments (5)
My hometown is near NYC and I will definitely be checking this place out on the next time I go home and head into the city for a day! Thanks for this post, arepas sound delicious, I can't wait to try some!
oh my those bad boys look scrumptious
I'm going to try Caracas in downtown Manhattan. I have not had a single good Arepa in the US yet, so maybe they will be an exception.
Ooh, makes me think of flattened out dim sum!
Arepas are actually usually eaten plain with some hot chocolate or coffee for breakfast, or with cheese&butter on top. That's how we eat it in Colombia. This is actually the first time I've heard that they've been stuffed! haha :)
I actually had an arepa for breakfast this morning...with beans. You can practically eat anything with this. yum! I'm glad to see this on here ... :D