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Cheesy arepa balls with quick Venezuelan sour cream (natilla)

Venezuelan sour cream (nata) is a savoury spread often used on arepas, cachapas (sweet corn pancakes) and bollitos (dumplings). It's lighter than cream cheese but thicker than cream. This quick natilla version was created by the Venezuelan diaspora who couldn't source nata overseas and became very popular with Venezuelan communities worldwide looking for a taste of home away from home.

Cheesy arepa balls with quick Venezuelan sour cream (natilla)

Cheesy arepa balls with quick Venezuelan sour cream (natilla) Credit: Kitti Gould

  • makes

    15-20

  • prep

    20 minutes

  • cook

    20 minutes

  • difficulty

    Easy

makes

15-20

serves

preparation

20

minutes

cooking

20

minutes

difficulty

Easy

level

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Ingredients

  • neutral flavour oil, for deep frying
  • 2 cups (500 ml) water
  • 1½ cup precooked white or yellow corn flour (Harina P.A.N)
  • 3 tbsp self-raising wheat flour
  • 150 g cheese (feta, or grated cheddar, or a mixture)
  • salt
Sour cream
  • 300 ml thickened cream
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 3 tsp white vinegar
  • salt
Chilling time: 2 hours minimum, preferably overnight

Instructions

  1. To make the quick Venezuelan sour cream, in a medium bowl, whisk all the sour cream ingredients and season with salt to taste. Refrigerate for 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  2. To make the cheesy arepa balls, heat enough neutral oil to deep fry in a large saucepan to 170˚C.
  3. While the oil is heating, in a large mixing bowl, combine the water, corn flour, wheat flour, cheese mixture and a generous pinch of salt. Mix well to combine and then form balls (approximately the size of a Ferrero Rocher chocolate!), then deep fry until golden and crisp.
  4. Serve the cheesy arepa balls with the sour cream for dipping.

Photography by Kitti Gould.


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Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.

Stream free On Demand

Thumbnail of Fast, Fried And Crispy

Fast, Fried And Crispy

Watch The Full Episode Here
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Watch The Full Episode Here
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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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Cooking and conversation are a bridge to understanding people and their culture. On The Cook Up with Adam Liaw his guests - world renowned chefs, entertainers, sports and social media stars - prepare food, eat, laugh and give us a glimpse into their lives.
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Published 24 November 2023 1:03pm
By Ivan Aristeguieta
Source: SBS



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