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.
Sometimes it’s good to step out of the norm and try something different and that includes the foods you eat. It’s too easy to fall into a rut of eating the same food, but nutritionally, our bodies benefit from variety. Plus our brains love to be stimulated so participating in culinary exploration can be about more than just trying new flavors. It’s a chance to learn more about the world and how other people live.
What is Arepa?
For instance, in Venezuela, the “daily bread” is nothing like the yeast bread we eat. They eat arepa which is more like a flatbread or pita and simply made from ground white cornmeal, salt, and water. They’re grilled or fried instead of being baked and they are eaten for any meal – breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Arepas are also enjoyed in Panama, Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canary Islands, and the Dominican Republic. But this food trend is becoming popular here in the US as well.
With P.A.N. white corn meal in the pantry, Arepas are quick and easy, about 10 minutes from raw ingredients to a meal. The recipe is on the package and their website and it’s so simple – water, salt, and cornmeal that’s mixed together and then fried in butter, allowed to cool, split open and filled. That’s it! Any sandwich filling can be added, but ones that lend themselves to the slightly sweet cornmeal flavor of the arepa is even better. I used roasted turkey breast, havarti cheese, leaf lettuce, and a little Dijon mustard.
Check out our mini arepa recipe and Lemon and Blueberry Cornmeal Muffins with Lemon Glaze and then visit the P.A.N. Tumblr page for more recipes.
What sandwich filling will you fill your arepa with?
Looks good! I would like to try this sandwich. I like trying new foods.
This looks like a really delish bread and sandwich! I have never tried this recipe but I want to soon!
That really sounds delicious. I think I’d like to try it for my son. He has food allergies.
As I am not too much of a sandwich person (cuz I dont’ like all the bread), arepa would be perfect for me. I like the thinness.
I have not tried arepas like this! I did just make them too with PAN this week and really liked it! I used chicken and cheese!
I’ve got try making these for my husband, he’d love them. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never had an Arepa bread before and I don’t think I have seen this bread sold in bakeries here. It sounds easy to do and I’d love to try it.
This bread looks so delicious. I would love to try this for lunch tomorrow. I would use roast turkey in my sandwich.
I would fill my sandwich with ham and cheese. I will have to give this a try.
That looks good! I would love to try it out!
This sounds so good! I am going to have to try to making it because I am a bread lover.
This looks so amazing! I love Havarti on anything!
I’ve never heard of arepa. Looks amazing though, love trying new foods.
I have not heard of Arepa bread, but I think I would like it. I prefer a flatbread to the yeasty breads we typically eat. This sandwich sounds amazeballs!
I’ve never had an arepa before, but man, that sure does look amazing. Definitely something I could love to dig into.
Yum! This sounds so good. I bet it would be fantastic with turkey and swiss cheese with some lettuce!
I’m so looking forward to trying these. They look absolutely delicious, and the corn meal flavor sounds fab!
This looks good. Helps cut down on the carbs huh?
I have never heard of Arepa before, thanks for introducing me. I enjoy recipes with cornmeal so I need to try to make some!
I’ve never had that type of bread before but it sounds yummy. I add avocado to everything so I’d probably add some to this.
I really love eating sandwich, this one is unique, looks fantastic. I’m gonna try this at home.
That sounds like an amazing sandwich. Now I am craving one.