Arepas con Carne Mechada

September 15- October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

A few years ago, we sponsored the marriage of Danielito and Elaine L. at a neighboring Catholic church in our area. The groom grew up in Venezuela and wanted to bring something special to share as an appreciative gesture at one of our marriage preparation dinner sessions. What a nice break for us from cooking and what a treat to try a new cultural food. He cooked a typical Venezuelan dish called arepas (corn cakes) filled with carne mechada (pulled beef), which is their version of a hearty sandwich. Before bringing the final food to us, he and his fiancé/now wife had practiced preparing it in his apartment several times until Danielito felt it was just right enough to share his recipe. It is also nice to know that this couple worked as a team to cook together, which bodes well in their married life.

Muchas gracias to Danielito for sharing his recipe with us! Venezuelan-style arepas con carne mechada make a good meal, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Recipe

From Danielito L.

For the carne mechada (pulled beef)

• 2 ½ – 3 pounds flank or skirt steak
• 1 white onion, diced + 3 tomatoes, seeded + 1 bulb of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of onion/tomato/garlic mix
• 1 onion, diced
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon cumin powder
• 1 tablespoon adobo power
• 1 tablespoon annatto powder

Directions

Prepare the beef by boiling the steak in water for about an hour or until it is soft enough to be pulled by hand. Use just enough water to cover the steak. Take the beef out, drain and let cool, reserving the beef froth for later. Shred the beef by pulling each individual strand.

In a blender, puree the diced white onions, seeded tomatoes and bulbs of garlic until it is a paste-like consistency. Save this combination when making the beef filling.

In a large pan, stir-fry the second diced onion with minced garlic until lightly brown. Lower the heat and add the shredded beef in the pan. Add the “onion/tomato/garlic” mixture. Stir in the tomato paste.

Sprinkle the meat with cumin, adobo and annatto powders. Mix everything together thoroughly. Add enough beef broth to cover the bottom of the pan. Stir and simmer in low heat, checking periodically to make sure the beef is not dry. Adjust spices to taste. Keep warm while making the arepas.

For the arepas

• 1 cup arepa flour (precooked corn meal) [see Notes]
• ½ – 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1 ¼ cup water
• oil for cooking the arepas
• shredded cheese (optional garnish)
• chopped cilantro (optional garnish)

Directions

In a mixing bowl, place the arepa flour and salt (if using). Slowly mix in the water and stir well, making sure everything is absorbed. Let stand for five minutes. Divide into 6-8 pieces and roll into balls. Flatten to no more than ½ inch thick.

Under medium high heat, coat the bottom of a skillet with oil. To avoid splattering, carefully slip in a few pieces of the flattened dough and brown each side (takes at least five minutes). Flip over and continue to brown the arepas. Drain on paper towels.

When ready to serve, slice in the middle but do not cut all the way to the other end. Open and fill with carne mechada. Serve with shredded cheese and chopped cilantro (optional garnish).

Notes

• Arepa flour (also known as masarepa or harina precocida) is precooked corn meal and should not be confused with masa harina. Find this in the Latin aisle of the grocery store or in Latin markets.
• Search our blog for other Latin-inspired recipes for Hispanic Heritage Month.