Nom Nom: Cachapas In Honor Of Miss Venezuela

In honor of Miss Venezuela taking the Miss Universe crown two years in a row, we decided to feature a Venezuelan dish (hey-o!) today. Cachapas are first cousins to arepas, only more pancake-like. Like arepas, though, they are made with corn, often sold at stands (or, in Manhattan, at restaurants for much more than one would normally pay) and can be eaten as a breakfast food or a snack. 

Ingredients

• 1 can creamed corn
• 3/4 cup pancake mix
• 1/4 cup corn meal
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
• 2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
• Shredded or sliced cheese of your choice [Ed. note: We suggest queso de mano.]

Directions

Blend all the ingredients in the order listed. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.

Heat a non-stick frypan and drop small amounts of the batter as if making pancakes.

Serve the cachapas warm, wrapped about a slice of cheese. Enjoy!

You can, of course, dress up your cachapas any way you want: With pork, avocado, beans, veggies, different cheeses, a jaunty cap. Whatever your cholesterol-laden heart desires, honeybaby.

Cachapas - - Easy Recipe [About.com]