(upbeat music) - Hola, everyone.

Welcome to Arkansas PBS Rise and Shine.

I am your chef, La Profe Molina.

And I am feeling a little hungry today.

I think it is time to make some arepas.

Again, arepas.

But first, what is an arepa?

An arepa is a traditional typical food from Colombia and Venezuela.

It is eaten also in Ecuador and Panama.

Arepa is known in Honduras as pupusa and in Mexico, it is known as gordita.

Arepa came from the northern region of South America in Pre-Columbian times.

It is eaten daily in those countries and it can be served with toppings such as cheese, meat, chicken, avocado and why not, peanut butter and jelly.

Today we are preparing an arepa con queso from Colombia.

You're going to need the following ingredients.

One cup of arepa flour.

One cup of warm water.

A teaspoon of salt, or a dash of salt.

A 1/2 cup of sugar, two ounces of melted butter, a stick of butter or nonstick spray.

One cup of cheese.

I personally prefer mozzarella cheese because it stretches very well.

But you can choose whatever you prefer.

Let's make the arepas with some magic.

When I say three, you will see the arepa dough here.

One, two, tres.

(buzzing music) Ta da.

Here is your arepa dough ready for you to play with.

Guys, this is so much fun.

You're going to mix together your arepa flour, the warm water, salt, sugar and melted butter in a bowl.

Also, you can add the cheese.

You're going to mix all the ingredients together until the mixture has a soft consistency and your hands are very clean.

Like my hands.

You're going to take a piece of the dough and then you're going to start playing with your arepa.

Once the dough is ready, you're going to make a ball.

With your thumbs, you're going to press the middle of that ball, and you're going to make a gentle hole.

Again, if your masa is too dry, you're going to make it a little wet with some water.

(lively music) And once you have the hole in the center, you can add some cheese.

Mhm, yum.

It smells so good, guys.

You're going to start closing the edges of your arepa and all the gaps of your arepa.

You're going to bring your bowl back.

And in Colombia, while we start flattening our masa, our dough, we sing a song that it goes.

(teacher speaking in foreign language) You're going to close your gaps and using the palm of your hand, you're going to make sure the size of your arepa.

And voila.

Here is your arepa.

Your arepa is ready to go into the pan.

Now, for the next step, you're going to get an adult to spray a nonstick pan and turn into a medium heat.

You start making the sound.

You're going to place your arepa on the heat.

Cook your arepas for both sides until they're golden and crispy.

Flip each side after five minutes.

And you will see how your arepa start looking very crispy and golden.

Mhm.

(teacher sniffing) It smells so good.

In Colombia, you have them with more cheese and butter for breakfast.

Did you like the arepa?

What is your favorite arepa topping?

I personally like mine with lots of butter and salt.

And you, did you like today's lesson?

Si, it was lots of fun.

I hope you all can enjoy your arepas at your casita with your familia.

Adios and see you next time.