Thanksgiving Leftover Arepas Let You Relive The Turkey Day Magic
After Thanksgiving, there’s always a massive pile of festive leftovers in the fridge you eat through for the next few days. You can get pretty creative with these recalentados, including this arepa that elevates the standard Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich to new heights.
Made with a quick homemade arepa you can prepare within minutes, this sandwich also gets a spicy and savory kick with the addition of bacon, Havarti cheese, and jalapeños. Combined with all of your recalentados, this makes for a hefty, hearty sandwich that’ll have you eating through the entire stock of turkey and mashed potatoes in no time at all.
You can find all of the ingredients needed on top of your leftovers for this arepa at Northgate Market. Northgate Market also has a holiday cookbook coming out that puts twists on the Thanksgiving classics as well, including a mole-sauced turkey that would make for a tasty addition to this sandwich.
If you want to make this mouthwatering arepa, peep the recipe below.
Servings: 2
Ingredients
For the arepas
1 cup P.A.N. pre-cooked white cornmeal
½ tsp salt
1 cup lukewarm water
2-4 Tbsp Pompeian Safflower oil (Enough to cover bottom of the frying pan)
For the filling
1/2 cup leftover mashed potatoes
1.2 cup leftover stuffing
1-2 cups leftover turkey meat
3-4 Tbsp cranberry sauce
4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy
4 slices Havarti cheese
¼ cup fresh jalapeño slices
1/2 cup leftover gravy, warm
Directions
Step 1
In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, water and salt. Knead dough a few times in a bowl, then divide into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then gently flatten to 4 inch discs.
Step 2
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook arepas in oil until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer cooked arepas to a paper towel-lined plate to drain until cool, about 5 minutes. Carefully slit arepas halfway and transfer to a lined baking sheet.
Step 3
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. To assemble, lay 2 slices of arepa and top in this order: 1/4 cup mashed potatoes, 2 slices cheese, jalapeño slices to taste and 1/4 cup of stuffing.
Step 4
Bake in the oven for 5 minutes to melt cheese. Include the remaining 2 arepa slices to get extra crispy.
Step 5
Finish by distributing the turkey between all cheese topped arepas, followed by cooked bacon.
Smear cranberry sauce on the 2 plain slices. Place cranberry side down and top arepas. Serve with a side of gravy for dipping and enjoy!
Created in partnership with Northgate Market
