⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 2 servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Young green jackfruit (canned), drained and chopped
• 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1/2 clove Garlic (minced)
• 1/4 teaspoon Lime juice
• 1 cup Arepa flour (pre-cooked)
• 7/8 cup Water (warm)
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped (optional) Cilantro

📖 Instructions

1. First, let's tackle the chipotle aioli. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers (reserve the peppers for another recipe!), 1 clove minced garlic, and a squeeze of lime juice. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste and add more lime or adobo, depending on your preference. Set aside - this stuff is addictive. Seriously.
2. Now for the jackfruit. Drain one 20-ounce can of young green jackfruit and roughly chop it. I know, I know, some people just use a fork and shred the jackfruit, but I like a slightly more defined texture. In a medium bowl, mix it with 1/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (I’m a big fan of Sweet Baby Ray’s). Set aside.
3. Next up, the arepas! Combine 2 cups of pre-cooked arepa flour (masa harina), 1 3/4 cups warm water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix with your hands, forming a dough. If its too wet, add a bit more flour; too dry, add a bit more water. That's the beauty of cooking! It's not always exact.
4. Once your dough is the consistency of playdough, divide it into 8 equal portions (if your math is as bad as mine, just eyeball it). Shape each into a disc. I usually make them about 4-5 inches across, but that's completely up to you, dear reader. You can get creative.
5. Lightly grease a pan or griddle. Gently flatten each arepa disc into a thin, round patty. If you have an arepa press, that makes life easier, but honestly, a good ol' fork works fine. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side over medium heat, flipping once, until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Time to assemble your masterpiece! Spread a generous amount of the chipotle aioli on each arepa. Top with about 1/4 cup of the BBQ jackfruit mixture. You could add some extra cilantro for a pop of color and freshness!
7. Serve immediately and enjoy! I’d love to hear how they turned out! What other toppings would you add?

📝 Notes

• For a spicier aioli, add more adobo sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• If you don’t have pre-cooked arepa flour, you can find it at most Latin American grocery stores.
• Feel free to experiment with different toppings and flavors!