Hey All! So Last week I was in Wisconsin on a styling job, which was awesome!…not just because the job itself was a lot of fun and I got to work with some super chill people, but also because going to Milwaukee means, driving down to Chicago after the job is done and spending a week with my parents! So here I am now, sitting in my parents home, relaxing and pretty much stuffing my face with all my mom AND dad’s awesome, delicious, unreal, amazing home cooking (sure I’m bias, but hey they really make some kick ass Korean food!) Yes, there are tons of amazing restaurants in Chicago that I miss dearly, but for some reason all I ever crave and seem to want to eat is my parent’s home cooking. Is that weird? Do any of you feel like this? What are some of your favorite “back at home” meals you all crave? For me, it’s usually my dad’s bbqing (both Korean and non), my mom’s amazing Korean soups and her incredibly mouthwatering “banchan” (Korean side dishes). YUMMMM! Of course I do my fair share of cooking for my parents as well! They usually request certain things from me, like my loaded seafood gumbo, panzanella salad and potato, pesto gnocchi. When they don’t have special requests I like to go to town and make them something I know they would never make themselves, but would love…..enter Arepa Pizza.
So I’m off now to go eat more of my parents phenomenal home cooking and hope you all enjoy this Arepa Pizza and have a fab day! xx Jenny
Arepa Pizza
Makes 1, 10” pizza
Ingredients:
1/2 recipe Arepa
sweet-chipotle chicken:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons minced shallot
1 chipotle pepper in adobe, minced, plus 1 tablespoon adobe
1 1/2 cups shredded, roasted chicken
2- 2 1/2 tablespoons honey
cilantro yogurt sauce:
1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (can use sour cream or Mexican crèma)
1/4 bunch cilantro
1/2 lime, juiced
toppings:
1 1/2 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
8 to 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 avocado, diced
1/2 cup grilled corn
Mexican crèma, as much or as little as you like
4 to 6 lime wedges
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat a large cast iron skillet (or nonstick pan) over medium heat.
2. Make arepa dough according to the recipe. After dough has rested, form into a ball and place between plastic wrap. Using the bottom of a baking dish or large pan, gently and evenly press down on the wrapped ball until you’ve formed somewhat of an 8-10 inch round that’s about 1/8 inch thick.
3. Carefully peel the top layer of the plastic wrap from the arepa and flip into the hot skillet, then removing the bottom layer of plastic wrap. Cook arepa on each side for about 15 minutes.
4. While the arepa cooks, pour oil in a medium sauté pan and place over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sauté for 1 minute. Add chipotle and adobe to shallots and stir for an additional minute. Add chicken and fold together until fully incorporated. Finally, add the honey, gently stir together and remove from heat. Set aside.
5. For the cilantro sauce: Place all ingredients into a food processor pulse 6-8 times or until cilantro is finely minced and incorporated. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
6. Once the arepa has crisped and slightly browned on each side, remove from heat and spoon cilantro sauce over the surface. Sprinkle half the cheese over the sauce and top with chicken. Sprinkle remaining cheese over chicken and place in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes (you’re just looking to melt the cheese).
7. Remove arepa from the oven and skillet and top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and a drizzle of crema. Lightly season with salt and pepper and serve with lime wedges.
The lighting is just spectacular on those photos! Not sure if it was really like that or if you tweaked it in post processing but it’s just super!! cool! Love this!
Thanks! I most def processed them. Using my phone!
This is hands-down one of my favorite blogs to visit for recipes and inspiration. In a sea of food blogs, it stands out as creative, fun, and just plain spectacular. And – can’t wait to try this recipe! :)
Yum! I am happy to hear you had a great experience in WI. I’m from Brookfield, just outside of Milwaukee. One of my favorite “back at home” meals isn’t really a recipe but grilled Beer Bratwurst, Grilled Corn and a fat salad in summertime :)
Also there is a little place called “Lees Ice Cream” by my house, they have the best frozen treats! I have been dying out here trying to find a Cherry Dipped cone, NO ONE in Southern California has them as far as I can tell. But Lees “back at home” has them!
You blow me away with your gifs. I just downloaded an app for them on my phone and I’m going to try experimenting. Do you have any tips?
Beautiful pizza! I could eat a couple slices of that right now. I grew up outside Chicago, so this got me thinking about all the amazing deep dish pizza that I haven’t had in years. :)
P-I-M-P.
Love this.
CORN! Forgot to mention corn on your toppings ingredients list. Might be a give or take…but it looks so pretty! ;) Beautiful shots of a, seemingly, bite worthy recipe. Must try on a hot August night. Arepa pizza party!
Ahhh! You’re totally right!!! One of the most important ingredients, in my opinion at least :) thanks for catching that!
This looks so freaking delicious! YUM!
this looks amazing! and tasty too :) LOVE the animated gif too!!
Just got back from a long run and I am starving. This looks so so good. Might need to make it now!
hahaaa sweet!! this is a really “back to home” feel for me .. I’m a venezuelan girl who live in Italy.. so, you think how I felt today when I read my RSS and found your recipe AREPA + PIZZA !! I have to do it :D my two countries in one dish
That looks amazing! Love the rainbow photos!
Ah! LOVE this! So much.
Ok I’m hungry now……………………………
xo
Nicole
The.best.pizza.ever. Nuff said.
Oh man-0-man. I’d eat this daily! And the photos are magical! Harry and Hermione would be proud.
That`s one tasty looking pizza!
Do you deliver? ;)
:)
mikky
this looks incredible! can’t wait to try it out!
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THIS is too much.. i am salivating big time… i want it all in my mouth now… the big looks too real…. wonderful recipe… what a combo…
thanks for the recipe… another great pizza to try out… the avocado made me like it even more and using the mexican creme will bring out the taste even better…