BASIC INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups of pre-cooked white cornmeal
• 2 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 ripe avocados
• ½ cup of crumbled tofu
• 1 cup of spinach, chopped
• 1 large carrot, grated
• 1/2 cup of cherries, pitted and chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• Salt and pepper to taste

OPTIONAL ADDITIONS:

• 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Vegan cheese

PREPARATION:

1. In a large bowl, mix the pre-cooked cornmeal, water, and salt until a smooth dough is formed.
2. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and form each one into a ball. Flatten each ball to form a disc of about 1 cm thick.
3. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the arepas for about 7 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
4. While the arepas are cooking, cut the vegetables you want to use. I usually use spinach, carrot, cherries and avocado.
5. Blend the tofu with oil, salt, and lime juice to make the tofu cream. You can add the garlic powder and the nutritional yeast here.
6. Cut the arepas through the middle and fill them with the tofu cream and the vegetables.

VARIATIONS:

You can add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, or even vegan cheese if you have some.