Fried Bread (Arepas)

 Is what Puerto Rican people call them. I love them enough to eat them until I get sick LOL. I have never met anyone who did not like them after I made them.They are sometimes flavored with Sason which is made by Goya foods.

These are served as dinner rolls but you don't butter them

Best way is to use self rising flour. I'm not one to measure so I'll do my best.

I use about 3 cups of flour

1 tsp salt

I use 1 tsp of garlic and onion power (but you don't have to) in mine

1 tbsp vegetable oil.

Add water slowly to make dough ball.

Kneed it till its smoothe.

Don't worry if you put to much water because you can add more flour.

I leave it sit for at least an hour before using.

Then kneed a little.

Take pieces of dough about the same size as a medium meatball (2 inches) and roll each ball smoothe. Slap it flat in the palm of your hand once, then work it around with thumb, fore-finger, and middle finger to stretch it a bit but make sure not to put it to thin or it will be like a cracker.

Lay flattened dough on a plate not touching each other.

I have a deep skillet which I fill half way with vegetable oil ( can use corn oil also).

Make sure oil is really hot and keep it hot, gently place dough into oil and fry until a light color as french fries on both sides.

Over 1,000 miles from the Florida coast, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico consists of a large main island and several smaller ones.

Many who visit for the first time are surprised because of the difference between Puerto Rican cuisine and Mexican fare, but Puerto Rican food is actually a blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous Taino cooking. To produce the unique flavors and color found in Puerto Rican food, generous amounts of two seasoning mixtures, adobo and sofrito, are added to many dishes.

Adobo is usually rubbed into meat prior to roasting, while sofrito most often serves as a pesto base for stews, rice, and beans. A regular dinner in Puerto Rico consist of pork, chicken, or beef served up with plantains and a side of rice and beans and arepas. Arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) and meat pies called pastelon de carne are two savory favorites.