Venezuelan Arepas with Flavorful Beef Filling and Zesty Avocado Sauce

Venezuelan Arepas are scrumptious cornmeal cakes, crispy on the outside and soft inside, often stuffed with a variety of delightful fillings. This recipe features a luscious beef filling complemented by a vibrant and zesty avocado sauce, making it an unforgettable culinary experience.

### Ingredients

**For the Arepas:**- 2 cups pre-cooked white cornmeal (Harina P.A.N.)- 2 1/2 cups warm water- 1 tsp salt- 1 tbsp vegetable oil

**For the Beef Filling:**- 1 lb ground beef- 1 onion, finely chopped- 2 cloves garlic, minced- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped- 1 tsp ground cumin- 1 tsp ground paprika- Salt and pepper to taste- 2 tbsp vegetable oil

**For the Zesty Avocado Sauce:**- 2 ripe avocados- 1 lime, juiced- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped- 1 clove garlic, minced- Salt to taste

### Instructions

**Prepare the Arepas:**1. **Mixing the Dough:** In a large bowl, combine the pre-cooked white cornmeal, warm water, and salt. Stir until smooth and the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.2. **Forming the Arepas:** Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape them into balls. Flatten each ball into a disk about 1/2-inch thick.3. **Cooking the Arepas:** Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the arepas for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Alternatively, you can bake them in a 375°F oven for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

**Prepare the Beef Filling:**1. **Cooking the Beef:** Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.2. **Adding Ingredients:** Stir in the minced garlic and red bell pepper, cooking for another 3 minutes. Add the ground beef, cumin, and paprika. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked.3. **Seasoning:** Season the beef mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer for a few minutes to let the flavors meld.

**Prepare the Zesty Avocado Sauce:**1. **Combining Ingredients:** In a small bowl, mash the avocados with a fork until smooth.2. **Mixing:** Stir in the lime juice, fresh cilantro, minced garlic, and salt to taste. Mix until well combined.

**Assembling the Arepas:**1. **Creating a Pocket:** Once the arepas are cooked, slice them open horizontally, creating a pocket but not cutting all the way through.2. **Filling:** Stuff the arepas with the flavorful beef filling.3. **Adding Sauce:** Drizzle or spread a generous amount of zesty avocado sauce over the beef filling.

**Serving:** Serve the arepas warm as a main course or snack. They pair wonderfully with a fresh salad or plantains on the side. Enjoy this delightful Venezuelan treat!