Transform your holiday dinner leftovers into a sensational culinary journey with our Turkey Arepa topped with Guasacaca! This fusion masterpiece marries the rich, succulent flavors of holiday roast turkey with the irresistible charm of Venezuelan arepas and a zesty avocado-based sauce.
In a large bowl, add arepa flour & salt. Mix together until combined.
Make a well in the center of the flour and slowly add the warm water. Using a wooden spoon mix until a dough forms (no dry lumps of flour should be left).
Let dough rest for 25 minutes to hydrate all of the flour.
Knead dough a few times in the bowl and then divide into 8 pieces.
Oil hands and begin to roll balls of dough using the palms of your hands. Once a ball is formed, begin to flatten out into a 1/2 inch thick disk.
Add oil to a cast-iron or heavy bottomed nonstick pan and place over medium heat.
Add arepas making sure to not crowd the pan (they should not touch). Cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side until nice and golden brown.
Finish cooking the arepas in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.
Guasacaca
In the bowl of a food processor or blender, add all ingredients except for the oil.
Depending on desired texture, blend/pulse for as long as you like. Once desired texture is attained, transfer to a bowl and begin to incorporate the oil. Mix until well incorporated.
Taste sauce and add more oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, or vinegar to taste. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate if not using immediately.
Filling
Shred turkey into bite size pieces.
Once shredded. Combine turkey with desired amount of guasacaca creating a well incorporated mix. Set aside.
Assembly
Slice arepa from the top making sure to only cut ~3/4 of the way (think pita bread). Next, add in filling followed by additional guasacaca (if desired) and any other desired toppings (cotija cheese, shredded cabbage, beans, salsa, jalapeno, cucumber, cilantro...etc.)
Notes
Use any protein you like! you can use chicken adobo, chicken tinga, shredded beef, carnitas, tofu or soy crumbles, turkey, rotisserie chicken, barbacoa, jackfruit, beans...etc. The options are endless!!! If using left over meat, rehydrate meat with a little stock or add some mayo and lemon juice to make a "salad" i.e. chicken salad