Have you ever eaten arepas ? They are a Venezuelan staple. At first I didn't like the soft mushy center and would have them made very flat with just a crispy outside filled with ham and cheese, tuna or any other number of fillings. After a few months of living in Venezuela, I became like the locals and ate the arepas the way they are meant to, with a soft doughy center.

Arepas are kinda like an English muffin, but with a crispy outside and a softer inside. They are used in place of bread for a sandwich like meal or snack. They can be savory with the fillings I've already mentioned but could also be a sweet with something like guava jam.

It's been many years since I lived in Venezuela and I used to make the arepas for my family in the USA, but haven't in so many years. And now that there is a great Venezuelan coffee house in Palo Alto, Coupa Cafe, that serves probably 20 different arepas, fabulous hot chocolate and such wonderful desserts that I don't have to even mourn my not making arepas anymore.

If you live in the SF bay area and haven't tried arepas or Coupa Cafe, I'd highly suggest it.

Chao Vicki