Today I feel like blogging about this traditional Colombian arepa dish. Arepa with butter and quesito (fresh cheese) is what I usually eat for breakfast everyday. It is simple and quick to make and one of my favorites.
Arepa is a cake made of maize dough or precooked flour (masarepa) traditional in Colombia and Venezuela. In Colombia is traditional to make them with fresh corn , but today arepas usually made using pre-cooked white corn flour. Arepas are eaten Colombia, at all times of day.
Arepas can be made in different sizes and, thicknesses and can be baked, fried or grilled. They can be eaten alone, with butter, and cheese or any food can act as a topping.
In my homestate of Antioquia, there are a couple of foods that almost everyone eats daily. One is bean stew, which is usually eaten for dinner and the other is arepa with butter topped with quesito and hot chocolate, which is served for breakfast.
Quesito Colombiano
Quesito is a fresh cheese made with cow’s milk that is creamy, soft and delicious. In Colombia we use it as a topping for arepas and to bake some of our cheese breads.
Here in the United States you can find some substitutes such as Mexican queso fresco or fresh farmer’s cheese.
My Favorite Breakfast Ingredients
Arepa with butter
Queso Fresco o Quesito
Hot chocolate
Jeannie
Hello Erica, What is the difference between Quesito Colombiano and Queso Blanco? I would like to know which cheeses are best to make Arepas, bunelos and pan de bonos. Can I use the same cheese for all or do they require differnt cheeses? Thank you, I am confused on what cheese to buy (not because of your recipes)
Erica Dinho
Queso Blanco is a harder cheese. You can find it at Latin markets. Quesito is similar to farmer cheese in the USA or Mexican queso fresco.
Natalie
THANK YOU for your website!!! ALL the recipes are so easy to follow, and I get to cook traditional meals and impress my husband:)