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Arepa de Pabellón served Korean style
Hearty corn cake filled with the national flavours of Venezuela

Arepa de Pabellón

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses Quick Meals
'Pabellón Criollo' is Venezuela's national dish, originally consisting of rice, beans, and meat served on a plate. When this rich, filling combination is stuffed into an arepa, Pabellón is born – an explosion of flavours. The meeting of salty, tender beef, earthy black beans, and sweet fried plantain with a crown of salty cheese creates a balance of flavours worth sitting down for.
🕒 Prep Time 25 mins
🍳 Cook Time 20 mins
⌛ Total Time 55 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 850 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Latin American

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Mixing bowl
  • Frying pan for cooking
  • Grater (for cheese)
  • Sharp knife for filling

Allergen Information

⚠️ Milk (cheese)
⚠️ Sesame (if sesame oil is used)

Instructions

1 ✓

Mix the cornmeal with the salt, then gradually add the warm water. Knead into a smooth, mouldable dough.

Tip: The amount of water depends on humidity. The goal is for the dough not to crack, but not to stick to your hands either.
2 ✓

Let the dough rest for 5-10 minutes while you prepare the fillings. The flour hydrates during this time.

Tip: If it feels hard after resting, knead in a little more water.
3 ✓

Peel the plantain, cut into diagonal slices, and fry in a little oil until golden brown and soft on both sides. Set aside.

Tip: Ripe (black-skinned) plantain is the sweetest and gives the dish its character.
4 ✓

Shape the dough into 4 large balls, flatten into discs about 1.5 cm thick. Fry them in a pan with a little oil over medium heat, 5-7 minutes per side, until they have a crispy crust.

Tip: The crust needs to be strong enough to hold the generous filling.
5 ✓

Warm the shredded beef and black beans in a pan. Season with salt and pepper if necessary.

Tip: Mash the beans slightly with a fork so they are creamier and stick better.
6 ✓

Cut the cooked arepas lengthwise (like a bread roll), but not all the way through. Spread the bottom with beans.

Tip: The bean layer insulates the dough so it doesn't get soggy from the meat.
7 ✓

Pile on the beef, lay fried plantain slices on top, and finally sprinkle generously with grated cheese.

Tip: The contrast between the salty cheese and sweet plantain is the most important flavour experience in this dish.
8 ✓

Serve immediately while hot and the cheese begins to melt.

Tip: A little hot sauce highlights the flavours even more.

Recipe FAQ

What is plantain?
It is a cooking banana, larger and harder than a fruit banana. It is not eaten raw, but when fried, it caramelises and becomes a sweet side dish.
What if I don't have plantain?
Although the taste experience will be different, you can substitute sweet potato for texture and sweetness.

Ingredients

  • 300 g (approx. 2 cups) Pre-cooked cornmeal (Masarepa)
  • 625 ml Warm water
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Sesame oil (or cooking oil for frying)
  • 300 g Cooked beef (shredded)
  • 200 g Cooked black beans (tinned is fine)
  • 2 whole Ripe plantains
  • 150 g Grated salty cheese (e.g., feta and mild cheddar mix)