South American Arepas with Easy Greek Moussaka

Name: South American Arepas with Easy Greek Moussaka
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: South American,
Ingredients: 2 cups milk; 2 cups water; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter divided; 3 cups masarepa (pre-cooked cornmeal); 1 1/2 tsps Sicilian Sea Salt; 1 cup crumbled feta cheese; 2 tbsps olive oil; 1/2 small eggplant diced (about 1 1/4 cups); 1/2 small onion diced (about 1/2 cup); 1 clove garlic finely chopped; 1/2 pound ground lamb; 1 tsp Paprika Smoked; 3/4 tsp Cumin Ground; 1/2 tsp Oregano Leaves; 1/4 tsp Allspice Ground; 1/4 tsp Cinnamon Ground; 3/4 tsp Sicilian Sea Salt divided; 1/8 tsp Black Pepper Coarse Ground; 1 can (14 1/2 oz) fire roasted tomatoes undrained; 1/2 cup water; 1 cup crumbled feta

Global flavors take flight with hearty arepas – a griddled corn cake – inspired by both South American and Greek cuisines. Our version features an arepa that’s stuffed with an easy moussaka of ground lamb, eggplant and crumbled feta, seasoned with McCormick...

Ingredients

Arepas
2 cups milk
2 cups water
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
3 cups masarepa, (pre-cooked cornmeal)
1 1/2 teaspoons Sicilian Sea Salt
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Easy Greek Moussaka
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 small eggplant, diced (about 1 1/4 cups)
1/2 small onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 pound ground lamb Substitutions available
- ground beef
1 teaspoon McCormick® Smoked Paprika
3/4 teaspoon McCormick® Ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Oregano Leaves
1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Ground Allspice
1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Ground Cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon Sicilian Sea Salt, divided
1/8 teaspoon McCormick® Coarse Ground Black Pepper
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) fire roasted tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup water
1 cup crumbled feta

KEY PRODUCTS

INSTRUCTIONS

1 For the Arepas, place milk, water and 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of the butter in small saucepan. Cook on medium heat about 5 minutes or just until butter is melted. Remove from heat; cool slightly.
2 Combine masarepa and sea salt in medium bowl. Pour the milk mixture slowly into masarepa mixture, stirring until liquid is fully absorbed. (Mixture may be slightly lumpy.) Add feta and knead mixture with hands until smooth and cheese is fully incorporated. Divide dough evenly into 12 balls. Flatten each ball into a disk about 4-inches in diameter and 1/2-inch thick. Keep a bowl of cold water nearby when preparing the arepa dough. If your hands get too sticky while kneading and forming the arepas, wet them in the cold water and continue working dough.
3 Melt 1 tablespoon of the remaining butter in large cast iron skillet on medium-high heat. Cook arepas in batches about 6 minutes per side or until golden brown and slightly crispy. Adjust heat to medium-low if arepas are browning too quickly. Add additional butter to skillet between batches if needed. Transfer arepas to a platter; cool slightly. (Arepas can be made up to 3 days ahead. Refrigerate in airtight container. When ready to serve, bring to room temperature before reheating in a hot, buttered skillet.)
4 For the Moussaka, heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add eggplant; cook about 5 minutes or until slightly golden and softened, stirring occasionally. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir about 2 minutes or until slightly softened.
5 Add lamb to skillet; cook about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add spices; cook about 3 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink and spices are toasted. Add tomatoes and water. Bring to simmer; cook about 7 minutes or until the mixture is slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. (Moussaka can be made 3 days ahead. Cool before refrigerating. When ready to serve, simmer until heated through.)
6 To assemble arepas, slice each arepa crosswise about 2/3 of the way to make a pocket. Spoon about 1/3 cup Moussaka into each arepa and sprinkle with feta. Serve immediately.

TIPS AND TRICKS

Arepa dough is made with masarepa, a pre-cooked cornmeal. The cornmeal can be found in Latin markets, the Latin aisle of the supermarket or online. Do not use cornmeal or masa harina, which is used for preparing tamales.

Make Ahead Tip : Components can be made ahead. Store prepared arepas and Moussaka in separate airtight containers in refrigerator up to 3 days. To serve, reheat arepas in hot, buttered skillet and simmer moussaka until heated through.