Arepas with Chicken and Avocado

 Ingredients: For 4 servings: 300 g masa flour (nixtamalized corn flour; masa de maiz); white or yellow 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt 280 ml warm water 3 tablespoons olive oil (for frying) For the filling: 1 chicken breast (not whole) boiled to taste and cut into pieces 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon/lime juice 1 peeled avocado salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 diced tomato 1/2 finely chopped or thinly sliced red onion 1 tablespoon homemade mayonnaise

We start by preparing the dough for arepas. In a large bowl, we add 500 grams of corn flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and mix the dry ingredients well with a spatula or wooden spoon. Then, we gradually pour in warm water, about 300 ml, making sure to stir continuously to avoid lumps. Once all the water is absorbed, we stop and begin kneading the dough with our hands until it becomes smooth and elastic. It is important to let the dough rest for 4-5 minutes, covered with a clean towel, to hydrate well.

After that, we divide the dough into four equal parts, each weighing about 100-120 grams. We form a ball from each piece, which we carefully flatten to obtain discs with a diameter of about 10 cm. Make sure the edges are even for uniform cooking. In a non-stick pan, we add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and heat it over low heat. We carefully place the arepas in the pan and fry them for 7-8 minutes on each side until they become golden and crispy. It is essential to turn them carefully using a spatula so as not to break them.

Meanwhile, we prepare the filling. We take a ripe avocado and place it in a mortar. Using a pestle, we mash the avocado until we obtain a smooth paste. We transfer this paste to a bowl and add a small chopped onion, 200 grams of cooked chicken breast diced, a medium tomato diced, the juice of half a lemon, and 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise. We season with salt and pepper to taste and mix all the ingredients well so that the flavors combine perfectly.

After the arepas are fried, we remove them from the pan and let them cool for 4-5 minutes. Then, we cut each arepa in half, being careful not to separate them completely. We fill each arepa with the avocado and chicken mixture, ensuring that each bite will be full of flavor.

Serve the stuffed arepas alongside a fresh salad or other side dishes like grilled vegetables or corn chips. They are perfect for a light lunch or a delicious dinner, bringing a touch of exoticism to your plate. Enjoy every bite and savor the rich flavors and varied textures!

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