“I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Influence Central for P.A.N. Cornmeal. I received product samples as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”
I had no idea what arepas were a few months ago, but after making my own this week for the first time with P.A.N. cornmeal, I'm willing to let them completely takeover my sandwich bread! These are compact, incredibly easy to make, and totally delicious, and I have my favorite sandwich recipe to share with you using these arepas in place of standard white bread. I wish there was a way to hand you a bite of this through the screen, because it tastes even better than it looks, and putting it together couldn't be more quick and easy than it already is.
Turns out, an arepa is much like an English muffin. It is a round, thick bread that can be filled or eaten by itself. I'm so glad I put on my "Food Explorer" hat and was introduced to this Venezuelan specialty! These cornmeal patties are eaten in place of bread in countries all over the globe because corn is so rich in nutrients and has so much versatility.
P.A.N. Cornmeal is the #1 cornmeal in South America, and it really speeds up the process of making arepas compared to the traditional method of preparing maize dough by soaking, peeling, and then pounding corn kernals. This cornmeal is pre-cooked and the dough is made simply by adding water.
Once I had my dough prepared, I was curious to see if there were other ways I could prepare these arepas. After cooking up the bacon for my sandwich, I used the bacon grease to fry up a couple of the arepas. I also grilled and baked a few (at 350 degrees for 20 mins.), and found that they were all tasty! I liked the added bacon flavor in the fried arepas, and I love how the baked ones were crunchy on the outside and still soft on the inside. The grilled arepa tasted a lot like a pancake and my son ate it with syrup for breakfast. Yum!
Here's the sandwich recipe!
The Grilled Chicken BLT on Arepa Recipe! #PANFan #IC #ad
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups water
- 2 cups PAN Cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 chicken breasts
- 6 strips of bacon
- 1 avocado
- 1 roma tomato
- handful of spinach
- 3 slices of Asiago cheese
- hummus
Instructions
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Pour water into a container.
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Add the salt and the corn meal gradually.
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Knead until a smooth dough is formed and let rest for 3 minutes.
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Divide into six balls and form into flattened circles.
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Grill for 10 minutes, fry for 10 minutes, or bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
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Add your grilled chicken between two arepas or split one to make the top and bottom.
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Pile on a slice of Asiago cheese, bacon, spinach (or lettuce), tomatoes, and hummus on the bun.
As you can see, you can use two arepas to make quite a beefy sandwich, or you can split one in half (which is more traditional) and fill it with goodness. Either way, this is a winning sandwich, and just as good, if not 10x better, than boring white bread!
For more yummy recipes using P.A.N. Cornmeal, visit their Tumblr page!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
These look AMAZING. I never knew arepas were so easy!! I can't wait to try these myself. I also love anything fried in bacon fat
Amber Ludwig says
Yum!! I wish I could take a bite through the computer too!! This looks so fabulous!! I will have to try them to mix up our lunch time 🙂 Sound super easy!!
RANDY FULGHAM says
i love recipes like this one for sandwiches--this looks good-thans for sharing
Elizabeth Johnson says
Woah! Super cool and delicious sounding amd looking. THANK YOU!
M Allie webb says
Love this I will try to make this sometime looks delicious
Sharon Cummins says
This really looks and sounds like a refreshing change- of-pace meal for get togethers
Jennifer Lang says
This definitely sounds and looks interesting. I know a few members of my family that would enjoy trying this and it seems easy enough to prep/make. Thanks for sharing.
Kelly Nicholson says
oh man..those avocados look good on that thing..im hungry now!..trying this
Elizabeth Coates says
This looks so yummy. I love cooking and trying new things.
Pam Sohan says
That sandwich sounds delicious. Everything is better with bacon ! LOL I'll have to keep an eye out for this type of corn meal.
Diana So says
Arepas are now on my to cook list! I'd probably make a similar sandwich with it, or make a salmon patty sandwich. Mmhnmm, ideas are rolling through my head right now! Thanks for the post!
Gail Williams says
These look amazing. I am ready to buy the ingredients to make this. I have an allergy to wheat and rice so I crave anything that looks like a sandwich!
Kathleen S. says
I've never tried arepas! I would love to fry some up! I shall have to look for this product! Maybe the Mexican grocery store will have it.. I just tried to google it..
Sarah L says
I've never heard of these but it would be so easy to make as compared to baking bread.
Beverly Guajardo says
These look Yummy. I am going to have to make some to try.
Deborah D says
Can't wait to try all 3 versions
Melissa S says
This is a very tasty looking sandwich. I may try the bread for something different, I love the idea of grilling it during the summer,
SUSAN S.TN says
Can u say YUMMY!!! I am going to have to try this recipe. Looks so great!! Thanks for all the great tips & recipes you share with your readers!!! Looking forward to even more...
Leela says
That looks delicious1
Holly H says
I had never heard of arenas either but they sound awesome, can't wait to make some!
Laurie Nykaza says
I had to pin this recipe so we could make it for lunch the kids would love it. I'm always looking for new chicken recipes this is a good one for sure.
Heather Eavers says
This looks so delicious. I think I could even talk my hubby into trying it. YUM
Linda Mannst says
I have never heard of this before either. It sounds so good. I will be giving it a try also. Thank you for sharing
Haley Cook says
This looks amazing ! I would love to try this for dinner one night !
Amanda says
I would love to try this grilled.
Keke F says
Looks yummy, I may need to try this this weekend.
Eileen marie says
I just tried arenas for the first time at a festival. Maybe I'll try my hand at making them!
Joanne Gregory says
I have never heard of arepas but they sound good. I would give them a try!
Carrie says
That looks amazing.I can't wait to try this.
David Fultner says
I love this sandwich.
Debra Warila says
I hate to admit this, but I had never heard of arepas before today. They sound delicious though. I am definitely going to try making this recipe!
sandier says
These look amazing! What an easy great way to stay away from white bread! I can't wait to try!!
Lynn Desroche says
Yum!!! I need to try this ASAP!!
Monica Ray says
I love this and will have to try it one day
Jan Lee says
I like the use of raw spinach replacing the lettuce. I also see the apples on the sandwich but I may forgo those 😉 I've never tried the arepa but it looks easy enough to make. I like that you can make it different ways too. Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Cynthia R says
I've never had an arepa before but they look so yummy!
Dorothy Dillingham says
This looks so delicious! I really want to try it!!
Brianna Revard says
I also have never heard of arepas, but they look amazing, and now I want to make them! Thanks for the recipe.
Pam H. says
This looks delicious. I am always looking for dinner ideas the entire family will enjoy.
Casey B says
This looks really good! have to try it!
Alexis says
This looks absolutely delicious! even with my allergies I think I could come up with an edit on this meal that would make it food safe for my whole family!
Mia says
Only 30 minutes to make something that looks so scrumptious. I like this recipe.
Lauren Jones says
Yummo!
Alejandra Carreno says
Arepas are a staple in my family, being we're Colombian. I never thought to pair it up with these ingredients. Will definitely have to try it out. We have ours hot of the griddle with butter or sometimes with pulled pork on top & a side of sweet plantains.
Jeanette Gross says
This looks delicious! Something new to try! 🙂
Jerry Marquardt says
This recipe looked so good, I copied it down. I am due to make it this coming weekend. I thank you for the share.
rochelle haynes says
This looks good like to try this
Amanda Schaeffer says
These look amazing I just love hummus thank you for sharing the recipe this will make a great Saturday lunch for the kids 🙂
Shannon Holmes says
This sounds delicious and thank you for sharing this with us. I never knew how to make these and thank you for sharing.
Linda Mannst says
This sounds so good. I have never had Arepas before. I will have to try this. Thank you for sharing
April Skidgel says
These look amazing!! I'll have to test it out. Thanks!
Lauryn R says
This sandwich sounds and looks amazing! I love avocados, they are so delicious and good for you! 🙂
Linda Manns says
This sounds so good. I have to make these soon. Thank you so much for this great recipe
Shelly Peterson says
I have never heard of arepa before. This looks really good.