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Vegetarian

Arepas domino with black beans and cheese

Domino arepas are Venezuelan corn cakes filled with simmered black beans and shredded white cheese. This easy recipe takes 50 minutes for 4 people, at about €2.00 per person. The key to success is a well rested dough and a thick bean filling that doesn't run.

Tonight we're heading to Venezuela with domino arepas, golden corn cakes stuffed with simmered black beans and shredded white cheese.

Arepas domino with black beans and cheese
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.00
Calories per person
760 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Under a golden, slightly crisp crust, the corn inside stays soft and wraps around a filling of black beans spiced with cumin. The cheese melts into the hot slit and stretches a little with each bite, adding the salty contrast that balances the mild sweetness of the corn. You eat these with your hands, still warm, and that's exactly where the charm lies.

This is a weeknight recipe that breaks the routine without requiring any special skill. Kids love shaping the dough balls and watching the cheese melt when you open the arepa. It also works for a relaxed Sunday or a meal with friends, with a few extra toppings on the table so everyone can build their own.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Precooked corn flour (P.A.N. type) 400 g
  • Canned black beans 2 can
  • Vegetable oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Ground cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 tsp

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Red bell pepper 0.5

Dairy

  • Shredded white cheese (mozzarella or cheddar) 200 g

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the chopped onion, garlic and bell pepper in 2 tablespoons of oil, add the drained black beans and cumin. 12 min

    Let the beans simmer until the sauce thickens.

  2. Lightly mash the beans with a fork, they should form a rustic paste that holds inside the arepa.

    The beans should stay moist but without any runny liquid.

  3. Pour 60 cl of warm salted water over the corn flour, mix and knead, then let it rest. 5 min

    Add the flour gradually to the water, never the other way around, to avoid lumps.

  4. Shape 8 balls, flatten them into cakes about 1.5 cm thick and brown them in an oiled pan, 5 minutes per side. 15 min

    Tap a cooked arepa, it should sound hollow.

  5. Split them in half like a pita, fill with black beans and shredded cheese, and close them back up.

    Serve them very hot so the cheese melts into the slit.

Our tips to get it right

  • Heat the pan over medium heat before adding the arepas, too high a flame browns them without cooking the inside.
  • If the dough sticks to your hands while shaping, moisten your palms lightly with water instead of adding more flour.
  • Keep the bean filling warm while you cook the arepas, it slides into a still hot cake much more easily.

The variations

  • Swap the shredded white cheese for crumbled fresh goat cheese for a stronger flavor.
  • For a faster version, use store bought mashed black beans and skip the simmering step.
  • For kids, fill with just melted cheese and no beans, and serve the bean mash on the side as a dip.

What to serve it with

  • A lime dressed avocado salad
  • A homemade hot sauce
  • A fresh fruit juice

Storage

Filled arepas keep for 2 days in the fridge in a closed container. You can also freeze the plain cooked cakes, without filling, for up to 2 months. Reheat in a pan or oven for a few minutes before filling and serving hot.

Questions about this dish

Can I replace the precooked corn flour with regular corn flour?

No, precooked corn flour like P.A.N. is essential, it's specially treated to form arepa dough. Regular corn flour or polenta give a completely different texture and won't bind properly.

Can I make the arepa dough ahead of time?

You can shape the dough balls a few hours ahead and keep them covered with a damp cloth in the fridge. Avoid making the dough the day before, it dries out and cracks during cooking.

How do I know if the arepa is cooked through?

Tap gently on the cooked cake, it should sound hollow like bread. If the sound is dull, cook it a few more minutes on each side over low heat.

Can I fill the arepas with something other than black beans?

Yes, shredded chicken, mashed avocado or scrambled eggs all pair well with the cheese. Keep one melty element and one firmer element for a balanced filling.

How long does it take to make domino arepas with black beans and cheese?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in domino arepas with black beans and cheese?

About 760 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does domino arepas with black beans and cheese cost?

About €2.00 per serving, or €8.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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