The arepa is the daily bread on the Venezuelan table, but its popularity has spread to faraway places. This gastronomic wonder provides many important nutrients to the body thanks to corn. However, this cereal is not the only one that we can use to enjoy this traditional Caribbean bread. The imagination in Venezuelan cuisine allows many alternatives to enjoy delicious versions of any traditional local dish. For this reason, we take you through the Caribbean without leaving the kitchen with this new recipe for pumpkin arepa and cream of rice. Two ingredients with great nutritional contributions and magnificent flavor. Read on and discover with us how to make cream of rice arepas, irresistible!
Ingredients to make Cream of Rice and Pumpkin Arepa:
- 450 grams of Auyama
- 1½ cups of cream of rice
- 1 Egg (optional)
- 1 pinch of salt
How to make Cream of Rice and Pumpkin Arepa:
Boil the pumpkin until its texture is tender to start making the cream of rice and pumpkin arepas. When it is ready, drain very well so that, later, the texture of the purée is adequate. Let the auyama cool down a bit but without cooling completely. To continue making the dough for the rice and pumpkin arepas, use a deep plate to grate or grind the pumpkin. Put the pumpkin in a deep container. Add the cream of rice and integrate both ingredients. Cream of rice recipes are an excellent alternative to save money in the kitchen.
Integrate the ingredients very well, until you achieve a smooth dough. Add a pinch of salt, set the paddle aside and use your hands to knead. Create three balls to mold the cream of rice and pumpkin arepas. Prepare the arepas by giving the dough balls a disk shape.
Tip: If the dough lacks consistency, you can add an egg.
Place the rice and pumpkin arepa in a very hot pan. Previously, with the help of a napkin, grease the surface. Cook 8 minutes on each side of the arepa. Ready to taste! These cream of rice and pumpkin arepas taste delicious with cheese and avocado. Its texture is very soft and juicy when you let butter melt inside. Cream of rice recipes are an easy, tasty and very accessible culinary alternative.
Benefits of the cream of rice and pumpkin arepa
Many of us know the wonders that pumpkin or auyama provide. Now imagine all its benefits, added to those of cream of rice.
Pumpkin has both culinary attributes and health benefits: magnesium for a healthy heart, improves sleep, maintains sharp eyesight, promotes weight loss, and maintains a healthy prostate, among many others. In addition, it has been discovered that the auyama or pumpkin offers some properties that exclusively favor men. Pumpkins are rich in zinc, an essential mineral for a healthy prostate. Likewise, zinc develops in the body the ability to fight this disease
For its part, among the benefits of cream of rice, it can be highlighted that it is easily digested and constitutes an excellent element to increase carbohydrates. Two-thirds of a cup mixed with water offers 65 g of carbohydrates. In addition, rice provides vitamins of complex B (folic acid, potassium, zinc, iron and magnesium) and D (calcium and fiber). Thanks to all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that make it up, it protects the skin from the sun. It also promotes the health of the scalp, helping it to grow smooth, shiny and strong. Rice water even prevents our skin from becoming inflamed and irritated. Thanks to this, the skin is healthier, hydrated and free of blemishes.
