Quick and Easy

Buttermilk Cachapas (Venezuelan Corn Pancakes)

May 21, 2024
5
3 Ratings
Photo by César Pérez
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 15 minutes
  • Serves 8 to 10
Author Notes

My first taste of a cachapa was after a night out in Washington Heights, Manhattan. On a block full of Dominican restaurants, whose cuisine I’m very familiar with, I saw a lone Venezuelan restaurant that piqued my interest. Upon entering, I was greeted with images of what looked like large arepas folded over and stuffed with shredded beef, tender pork shoulder, chicken—the options were endless. I ordered one with shredded beef, lettuce, tomato, and a little bit of garlic mayo, and from that moment, there was no turning back. The sweet cachapa, reminiscent of Northern-style cornbread (sweet and cakey versus its more crumbly, less sweet Southern counterpart), and contrasted by the savory fillings, instantly made me a lifelong fan. Here, I played up that cornbread connection by adding buttermilk to the batter for extra tang. The cheese filling is traditional, meat is optional.

Upon further research, my comparison to an arepa, especially the sweeter arepas de choclo found throughout Colombia, wasn’t too far off. While Venezuelans and Colombians have a friendly rivalry over who invented the incredibly delicious arepa, the cachapa's relation to them is undeniable. Typically made with fresh corn in Venezuela, canned corn is just as delicious. Remember to get your hands on "masarepa" flour, which is a precooked cornmeal made especially for dishes like arepas and cachapas. P.A.N. is a popular brand. Be careful not to get "masa harina," which is nixtamalized corn used to make tortillas and is popular in Mexican and Central American kitchens. (Sorry, regular cornmeal or polenta will not work in this recipe!) If cachapas are new to you, I promise they will find their way into your rotation more often than you think. —César Pérez

What You'll Need
Watch This Recipe
Buttermilk Cachapas (Venezuelan Corn Pancakes)
Ingredients
  • 2 15.25-ounce cans sweet whole kernel corn, drained
  • 3/4 cup cultured buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup yellow masarepa flour such as P.A.N. brand
  • Butter, for cooking
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 pound sliced ham
  • 1 pound sliced mozzarella or queso blanco
  • Pickled onions, for serving
  • Fresh cilantro, for serving
Directions
  1. Blend 1 can of corn, buttermilk, eggs, sugar, and salt until smooth.
  2. Add masarepa flour and the second can of corn. Pulse until just combined but still chunky.
  3. In an 8-inch skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat along with one clove of crushed garlic and one sprig of fresh thyme. Sauté a minute, then discard before adding batter.
  4. Scoop one cup of the cachapa batter into the pan and cook covered for 5-6 minutes on the first side. Carefully flip by transferring to a plate and flipping back into the pan. Cover and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes.
  5. Add a slice or two of ham and cheese on one half of the cachapa and carefully fold over onto itself. Cook until the cheese is melted. Repeat for remaining cachapas.
  6. Serve with pickled onions and fresh cilantro.

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César Pérez

Recipe by: César Pérez

Recipe Developer & Food52 Test Kitchen Content Creator

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