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What exactly is an “arepa?” Here’s a fun food fact:

To talk about arepas is to talk about Venezuela. Arepas are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner at any Venezuelan table, usually plain with butter and Apure (Venezuelan cheese). They can be grilled, fried or boiled. Arepa dough can also be used to make other Venezuelan delicacies, such as empanadas and hallacas (Venezuelan tamales).

With that said, bring a taste of Venezuela into your kitchen one of these mornings and try out these Strawberry Arepas!

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 39 min
Makes: Makes 6 servings
Nutritional Information

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups warm water
1 tsp.  salt
2 cups white cornmeal (arepa flour)
2 oz.  (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp.  anise seed
1-1/2 cups sliced strawberries
3/4 cup  thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Instructions

MIX water and salt in large bowl. Gradually add cornmeal, mixing after each addition until well blended. Add cream cheese, brown sugar and anise seed; mix well. Let stand 5 min.

DIVIDE dough into 6 equal pieces; shape each into ball. Flatten each ball into 5-inch patty, rounding edge with a little water, if necessary.

PREHEAT griddle to medium-high heat. Add patties (arepas); cook 10 to 12 min. on each side or until golden brown on both sides. Cut arepas in half horizontally; fill evenly with strawberries and whipped topping.