Arepas With Creme Fraiche And Caviar Recipes

HOW TO MAKE AREPAS (3 INGREDIENTS!)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C). Set out a baking sheet and line with parchment paper. And to a large mixing bowl, add water and salt. Stir to combine and dissolve salt.
• A little at a time, add the areparina and stir with a whisk or your hands (our preferred method). You may work your way all the way up to two cups, although we typically have 1-2 Tbsp leftover. You're looking for a dough that doesn't easily stick to your hands, is moldable and moist, and can be rolled into a ball. Once you have that consistency, cover with a towel for 5 minutes. We did mix both white and yellow areparina as inspired by Teote (optional).
• Uncover, grab a large handful of dough, and roll into a ball (as the recipe is written, our batch made 6 large arepas, but it could also make 8-10 smaller arepas).
• Carefully press the ball between the palms of your hands to form into a roughly 1/2-inch thick disc (for thinner, crispier arepas, press closer to 1/4 inch). If it cracks a lot on the sides, your dough may need 1-2 (15-30 ml) more water. A little cracking is OK - just use your hands to close the cracks by gently patting along the edges (see photo).
• Once the arepas are formed, heat a large cast-iron or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add a little oil and swirl to coat. Then add arepas, giving them a little room in between so they don't touch. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until deep golden brown (a few blackened spots are OK). You're looking to form a crust. Then flip and cook for 2-3 minutes more or until the underside is also browned.
• Transfer to your parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes or until slightly puffed up and a little more golden brown in color. Some people like to slice into them immediately, but I find they can be a little doughy in the middle at that stage, so I prefer to let them cool for 5-10 minutes and serve while they're warm but not piping hot.
• To enjoy, slice in half and enjoy as is, spread both sides with vegan butter and a little maple syrup (YUM), or cut the arepa 3/4 of the way around, leaving a seam on the edge so you can "stuff" it like a pita. Fillings could include everything from black beans to rice to guacamole or even our Vegan Barbacoa!
• Best when fresh. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days or in the freezer up to 1 month (cooked or uncooked). Reheat in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven until warmed through. If reheating frozen uncooked arepas, I'd recommend letting them thaw first and cooking them as instructed.

AREPAS WITH CREME FRAICHE AND CAVIAR

Steps:

• Combine warm water and salt and stir until dissolved. Slowly mix in cornmeal until a sticky dough is formed. Divide dough into 8 equal portions and form each portion into a small dough ball. Roll out each ball to form a 1/2-inch-thick disk.
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon lard until it starts to move and pop. Add one dough disk. Cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove arepa from pan and place on a paper towel. Repeat with remaining lard and dough.
• Top each arepa with creme fraiche, egg, chives, shallot, and caviar and serve.

POTATO CHIPS WITH CREME FRAICHE AND CAVIAR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Brush 3 large baking sheets generously with some oil.
• With a mandoline or other manual slicer cut the potatoes crosswise into 1/8-inch thick slices. Arrange slices in 1 layer on a baking sheet and brush with some remaining oil. Sprinkle potatoes with rosemary, salt and pepper. Repeat these steps for remaining 2 baking sheets.
• Bake slices in middle of oven until golden, 15 to 20 minutes. With a metal spatula immediately transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Top potato chips with 1 teaspoon each of caviar and creme fraiche.

NEW POTATOES WITH CREME FRAICHE AND CAVIAR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Wash potatoes and place on 2 lightly oiled cookie sheets. Bake for about 30 minutes.
• Cool potatoes before handling.
• Trim either end of each potato and then cut in half, leaving trimmed edges on the end to allow potatoes to sit upright. Using a small melon baller, scoop out inside of each potato half, leaving at least 1/8-inch edge.
• Fill pastry bag, fitted with a star tip, with creme fraiche. Fill each scooped-out potato half with piped creme fraiche.
• Garnish top of each potato with red or black lumpfish roe.

ROASTED FINGERLING POTATOES WITH CREME FRAICHE AND CAVIAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a large mixing bowl, toss the potatoes with 1/2 cup of olive oil, rosemary, and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper. Coat a small roasting pan with the remaining olive oil and put the potatoes in the pan, cut-side down. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the potatoes are tender on the inside and golden on the outside.
• Let the potatoes cool slightly and then arrange on a serving platter. Serve the potatoes with the creme fraiche, caviar, and chives for self-service hors d'oeurves. This goes great with champagne. If you wish, spread each potato with a 1/4 teaspoon of creme fraiche and 1/2 teaspoon caviar instead of dipping.