Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Cheese and Chili Arepas with Eggs and Chorizo -- 03/14/11

Cheese and Chili Arepas with Eggs and Chorizo

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fine cornmeal
  • Salt
  • About 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Jack cheese, a couple of handfuls
  • 1 small jalapeño or Fresno chili pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Corn or vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1/3 pound chorizo, casing removed and finely chopped
  • 4 scallions, finely chopped
  • 8 large eggs, beaten
  • A small handful of cilantro or parsley, finely chopped

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation

Place cornmeal in a mixing bowl and season with a little salt. Add cheese and jalapeno or pepper. Toss with fingertips to combine.

In a saucepot, heat milk but do not boil. Melt in butter then stir into cornmeal and cheese mixture. Let stand about 15 minutes to cool.

Step

Place a bowl of warm water near a mixing bowl and cover a baking sheet with parchment. With moistened fingers, form 3-inch balls of the cornmeal mixture. Pat each ball into corn cakes about half an inch thick. (Make 4 large balls for entrée size or 8 small balls for appetizer size)

Place a bowl of warm water near a mixing bowl and cover a baking sheet with parchment. With moistened fingers, form 3-inch balls of the cornmeal mixture. Pat each ball into corn cakes about half an inch thick. (Make 4 large balls for entrée size or 8 small balls for appetizer size)

Step

Heat a thin layer of oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add enough cakes to fill pan and cook 5 minutes on first side, flip and cook to golden on the second side, 2-3 minutes more. Repeat with remaining batter.

Step

Once all the arepas are done, add chorizo to pan and brown. Add scallions and toss to combine. In a bowl, beat the eggs with some salt and the cilantro or parsley, and add to the pan. Scramble to desired doneness. Gently split the corn cakes and fill with eggs.