Ingredients

• 280 g precooked white corn flour (harina PAN)
• 600 ml warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 200 g queso blanco or queso llanero
• 400 g cooked black beans
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp sugar
• 30 g butter
• to taste salt

Method

1. 01
   Heat the oven Turn the oven on to two hundred degrees Celsius so it is hot by the time the arepas come off the griddle.
2. 02
   Mix the dough Pour the warm water into a large bowl, stir in the salt and one tablespoon of oil, then rain in the corn flour a little at a time while mixing with your hand until there are no dry lumps.
3. 03
   Rest the dough Knead the dough for about one minute until smooth, then cover the bowl with a cloth and let it rest so the flour can fully hydrate.
4. 04
   Soften the onion Heat one tablespoon of oil in a small pan over medium heat and cook the onion and garlic, stirring now and then, until soft and golden.
5. 05
   Simmer the beans Add the black beans, cumin, sugar if using, and a splash of water, season with salt, and simmer while mashing some of the beans with a spoon until thick and creamy, then keep warm on low heat.
6. 06
   Shape the arepas Wet your hands, divide the dough into eight equal balls, and pat each one into a disc about one and a half centimetres thick and nine centimetres across, smoothing any cracks around the edge with a wet finger.
7. 07
   Heat the griddle Set a budare, cast iron griddle, or heavy frying pan over medium heat and wipe it with a thin film of oil.
8. 08
   Griddle the first side Lay the arepas on the hot griddle and cook without moving them until a golden crust with a few dark spots forms underneath, working in batches if needed.
9. 09
   Griddle the second side Flip each arepa and cook the other side the same way until crusted and spotted.
10. 10
    Finish in the oven Move the arepas straight onto the oven rack and bake until they puff slightly and sound hollow when you tap them.
11. 11
    Split and fill Holding each hot arepa in a cloth, slice it open along one side to make a pocket, scrape out a little of the soft centre if you like, spread with butter, and stuff with grated cheese or the warm black beans, or both. Serve right away.