Arepas for Brunch | Day 27 Family Cooking Meetup and Start of Family Cookbook | 60 Day Health Storey Bridal Holiday Prep
This plan outlines a delightful day of cooking arepas with your future in-laws, providing recipes, schedules, costs, and tips for making the event inclusive, especially for family members who may not be physically present.
Arepa Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pre-cooked cornmeal (arepa flour)
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 tsp salt
- Optional: cheese, herbs, or spices for flavor
Instructions:
1. Mix Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal and salt. Gradually add warm water while mixing until the dough is soft and pliable.
2. Rest Dough: Allow the dough to rest for 10-15 minutes.
3. Shape Arepas: Divide the dough into equal portions (about 6-8). Roll each into a ball and then flatten into discs about ½ inch thick. You can use an English Muffin form to make sure they are round.
4. Cook Arepas: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook each arepa for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Serve: Cut open and fill with desired toppings or pile them on top or eat them right off the grill.
Planning the Day for the Hostess
Total Time for Arepas:
- Preparation: 30 minutes
- Cooking: 30-45 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1.5-2 hours
Schedule:
1. 11:00 AM: Gather ingredients and set up the cooking station.
2. 11:15 AM: Mix the dough together; let guests help.
3. 11:30 AM: Allow the dough to rest while you prepare toppings.
4. 11:45 AM: Shape arepas; encourage everyone to get involved.
5. 12:00 PM: Start cooking the arepas.
6. 12:30 PM: Enjoy the freshly cooked arepas with a variety of toppings while zoom chatting with family.
Cost for the Meetup at Home
- Ingredients for Arepas (for 6-8 people):
- Pre-cooked cornmeal: $3
- Cheese: $4
- Various toppings: $10 (e.g., meats, vegetables, salsas)
- Total food costs: $17
- Decor and Supplies:
- Tableware (plates, napkins): $10
- Drinks (sodas, water, etc.): $10
- Total decor and supplies: $20
- Total Cost for the Meetup: $37
Making the Event Inclusive for All Family Members
1. Virtual Participation:
- Zoom Chat for Distant Family: Set up a Zoom call where family members who cannot attend can join in from home. Share the recipe and ingredients beforehand so they can prepare their own arepas at the same time.
- Interactive Cooking: Encourage remote family members to cook alongside you and share the experience in real time.
2. Engagement Activities:
- Q&A Session: Involve family members in a Q&A about their favorite recipes or family traditions related to cooking.
- Recipe Sharing: Ask everyone to share their favorite toppings or family recipes via chat or video.
3. Include Everyone:
- Divvy Up Duties: Assign specific cooking or prep tasks to both in-person and virtual attendees to foster connection.
- Digital Sharing: For those attending remotely, ask them to send photos of their own cooking setups or their finished dishes to share with everyone.
4. Create a Family Cook Book:
- Photo Sharing for Cook Book: Create a shared digital folder for family members to upload photos of the event, including cooking, eating, and any fun moments. At the end, compile these memories into a digital photo book for everyone.
Checklist to Share with Both Families
- [ ] Confirm participation from both in-laws and remote family members.
- [ ] Send out the arepa recipe and suggested toppings early.
- [ ] Create a comprehensive grocery list.
- [ ] Gather cooking supplies (mixing bowls, spatulas, skillet, etc.).
- [ ] Set up a Zoom link for remote family members to join.
- [ ] Prepare drinks and snacks for the day.
- [ ] Plan engagement activities (Q&A, recipe sharing).
- [ ] Create a shared photo folder for memories.
This plan ensures a delightful and inclusive day of cooking arepas, providing both families the opportunity to connect, share traditions, and create lasting memories, regardless of distance. Enjoy!
