![]() Serve immediately with your choice of fillings.ġ large ripened plantain, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces on a biasġ/2 of small wheel Queso Fresco, crumbledĢ small green onions, julienned (green and whites) Immediately place the discs over your preheated pan and cook the arepas for 5-7 minutes on each side or until lightly golden brown. If the dough is too soft add a little more of Harina P.A.N or more water if it’s too hard.įorm dough balls and flatten them gently into discs until they’re about 1/2-inch thick. The arepa dough should be firm but not cracking when formed. Then add the oil to the dough, working the dough with your hands for about a minute. While you’re waiting, heat a non-stick griddle pan or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Allow the dough to rest 5 minutes to thicken up. Using your hands, mix the dough, breaking any clumps with your fingers. With a whisk, mix until the salt and sugar is dissolved. Slowly add in the Harina P.A.N. In a medium-sized bowl add the water, salt and sugar. Look for the “P.A.N” as it’s very different from the harina used in pupusas and gorditas.) So I made my best attempt at recreating these delicate bellezas del cielo.Īrepa dough recipe slightly adapted from Mommyhood’s Diary blogģ cups Harina P.A.N (precooked white corn meal. I had long (actually not quite that long, more like a week after) daydreamed of my rather virginal Arepa experience, wanting more. The sweetness of the yellow corn v iuda (Spanish for “widow” referring to an unfilled arepa) is most excellent on its own, but when paired with the various fillings, it becomes this flavor explosion in your mouth–the sweetness from the viuda and plantain, the salty from the pabellón and queso fresco and the gentle acidity from the guasacaca.Every inch of your tastebuds are satisfied, wanting more and not knowing when, (or how) to stop. ![]() If such a heaven exists, I was definitely in it. ![]() I can’t even begin to describe how delicious the sweet corn, cake-like arepas, filled with hearty shredded beef pabellón, fried plantains, black bean purée and queso fresco were. My awesome, longtime friend and hostess Amber, took me to this amazing Venezuelan restaurant in the Mission called Pica Pica Arepa Kitchen. While in the past I’ve enjoyed a Gordita or two or 10 , and have had quite the experience being a human pupusería, I hadn’t stumbled upon Arepas until my recent trip to San Francisco a few weeks ago. (Just ask a Venezuelan how their arepas compare to that of a Colombian’s, or vise-versa, and you will get strong disagreements from each party.) They all sound strikingly similar, but most will argue, are quite different. Due to its convenient spot in the Mission, the food can be a perfect accompaniment for a park day at Dolores or a quick bite with friends.Each are comprised of a corn flour-batter mix, shaped into a disc, fried in oil and stuffed with various fillings. Pica Pica is a great bet for almost any casual occasion. I spotted some desserts on the menu, all gluten-free, and will definitely be trying them on my next visit. It was sweet and savory at the same time but definitely an item to share. I got the Vegetarian, which was overflowing with grilled tofu, avocado, plantains, black beans and aioli. The crepe, called a Cachapas, is an enormous sweet corn crepe filled with any ingredients you choose. They are made with yucca, which is a tuber similar to potatoes. If you like garlic, I would highly recommend the fries. I also got the garlic yucca fries and a vegetarian crepe. The other popular filling options are the pork and chicken. If you’ve never tried an arepa, you’re missing out! To start I ordered the Pabellon Arepa, which is filled with shredded beef, plantains, black beans and salty queso fresco. The restaurant specializes in arepas, a South American sandwich made entirely of corn and is naturally GF. Since the menu is entirely GF and free of possible cross contamination, I opted to try the most popular items on the menu. Therefore, the recipes remain authentic and do not need to be compromised to be made gluten-free! Everything from the empanadas, to the arepas, and sweet corn crepes can be eaten without worrying… Thankfully for us NOBREAD-ers, all the key ingredients of Venezuelan food, such as corn, yucca, taro and plantains, are naturally gluten-free. Don’t let the restaurant’s small size deter you – they’ve been getting big publicity, including a feature on the Food Network’s, “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”. The owner, who is Venezuelan herself, brought food and culture to San Francisco through her grandmother’s tasty recipes. It’s a bright and colorful storefront, filled with traditional Venezuelan recipes and tons of charm. Pica Pica should be one of your go-to restaurants if you live in San Francisco.
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