Author Notes
At Areppas, an upscale fast-casual restaurant in New York City, Executive Chef Gabriela Machado takes a unique spin on a breakfast sandwich staple and has created the Morningside Areppas. This dish - served in a crunchy corn pocket - is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside and stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese and ham. The Latin-inspired breakfast sandwich can now be made at home, using Chef Gabriela’s simplified shopping list and directions. —Staff
Ingredients
- For the roja arepa:
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2 1/2 ounces
finely ground corn flour (restaurant recipe calls for Masa Harina)
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cow’s milk cheese as desired (restaurant recipe calls for Guyanese cheese)
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1
raw beet
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a pinch of salt
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1 1/2 ounces
water
- For the scrambled egg:
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1
egg
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7 teaspoons
chopped tomatoes
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2 teaspoons
scallions
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1
slice of ham
Directions
- For the roja arepa:
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Peel and dice raw beets, place it in the blender with the water, oil and salt blended until smooth.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer combine the ingredients blended in the blender and the masa harina (corn flour).
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Mix on medium/low for 5 minutes until mixture is homogeneous.
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Cover dough with moist towel and let it rest for 10 minutes.
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Once is rested, portion dough in to 6 oz. balls, flattening each as if making a burger patty until it is about inch thick and 4 inches in diameter. The edges should be tapered instead of at and straight.
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Set all arepas on a parchment-lined sheet tray.
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Heat the grill until hot. Alternatively, heat the oven to 375°
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Heat a griddle on medium heat, swirling a little oil on its surface. Cook each arepa on the griddle for 2 minutes per side.
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Finish each arepa on the hot grill by cooking it for 5 minutes on each side. Alternatively, bake in the oven for 10–15 minutes, until golden and crunchy on the outside. It is baked through when it sounds hollow if tapped in the middle.
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Remove to a rack to cool.
- For the scrambled egg:
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In a medium non-stick skillet heat the oil over medium heat. Add the tomatoes and scallions and cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Meanwhile, in a small bowl beat the eggs and salt. Pour the eggs in the skillet with the tomato mixture and cook over medium heat, without stirring, until mixture begins to set.
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Stir twice or until the eggs mix with the tomato and scallions and cook about 2 minutes or until the eggs are the consistency you like.
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Transfer to a serving plate. Add a slide of ham. Open up one side of the arepa to form a pocket and stuff scrambled egg and ham inside. ENJOY!
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