Arepa con Cerdo y Camarones (Arepa with Pork and Shrimp)

Arepa con Cerdo y Camarones (Arepa with Pork and Shrimp)

Ingredients

(4 servings)

• 4 cooked arepas (recipe below)
• Olive oil

Arepas Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup arepa flour (precooked cornmeal)
• 1 cup crumbled ricotta salata or grated mozzarella (1/4 pound)
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preparation

Toss together arepa flour, cheese, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl, then stir in water until incorporated. Let stand until enough water is absorbed for a soft dough to form, 1 to 2 minutes (dough will continue to stiffen).

Form 3 level tablespoons dough into 1 ball and flatten between your palms, gently pressing to form a 1/4-inch-thick patty (2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches wide), then gently press around side to eliminate cracks. Transfer to a wax-paper-lined surface. Form more disks with remaining dough in same manner, transferring to wax-paper-lined surface.

Heat oil in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then fry arepas in 2 batches, turning over once, until deep golden in patches, 8 to 10 minutes total per batch. Drain on paper towels.

Pork

• 11/2 pounds pork loin, cut into 4 pieces
• 1 garlic clove,minced
• 1/4 cup cup chopped onion
• 1 scallion, finelly chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper

Shrimp

• 16 large shrimp cooked
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt & pepper
• Hot sauce (optional)
• Fresh cilantro
• Olive oil, for drizzling

Preperations

1. To make the pork:
2. Place the pork pieces between sheets of wax paper, then pound until each steak is about ¼ inch thick.
3. Place the pounded pork in a zip lock plastic bag. Add the onion, scallion, cumin, garlic, salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight. Be sure the steaks are evenly covered.
4. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Place the pork into the skillet and cook for 5 minutes per side or until the pork is cooked.
   
5. To make the shrimp:
6. In a small bowl combine onion, lime juice, ketchup, mayonnaise, pepper,hot sauce and cilantro. Add the shrimp and mix well. Set aside.
   
7. To assemble:
8. Place an arepa on a serving plate, top with the pork and place the shrimp on top of the pork. Sprinkle fresh cilantro, drizzle olive oil and serve.