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Lentils.org

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Pork & Lentil Carnitas Arepa

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Total time: 30 Minutes

Servings: 10

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Recipe by

Lentils.org

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Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition

Ingredients

    3 cups (750 mL) arepa flour

    1 Tbsp (15 mL) kosher salt

    3 ½ cups (875 mL) warm water

    3 Tbsp (45 mL) canola oil, divided

    2 lb (1 kg) carnitas, prepared

    1 lb (500 g) whole red lentils, cooked

    3 yellow bell peppers, fire-roasted, quartered

    2 ½ cups (625 mL) avocado, smashed

    10 oz (300 g) queso, crumbled


Directions

  1. Combine arepa flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add warm water into the center of the dry mix and stir well with a rubber spatula until all lumps are gone. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
  2. Knead dough for 20 seconds and divide into 10 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten to a half-inch thick round disk.
  3. In a cast iron pan, heat 2 Tbsp (30 mL) oil and add arepas dough in batches. Cover and cook until golden brown on the first side, approximately 6 minutes. Uncover, flip arepa, and cook the other side for another 6 minutes, uncovered this time.
  4. While arepas are cooking, take another large skillet and add the carnitas, reheating with 1 Tbsp (15 mL) oil. Fold through the lentils so they absorb some of the juices and sauce.
  5. Once warmed and aromatic, build your arepas by splitting the finished arepa and stuffing with 3 oz (90 g) of meat blend, 1 pepper quarter, ¼ cup (60 mL) avocado and 1 oz (30 g) queso. Serve hot.