Arepas with carne mechada and guacamole

Put a little oil in the pot and mark the meat over medium heat. No need to cut it small, leave the piece whole or in medium portions so that it cooks in its own juices.

Meanwhile, dice the vegetables. They don't have to be very small, but don't leave them excessively large either, as you like to find them.

Open the arepas with a serrated knife. Fill them with meat and guacamole.

You can give them a final crispy touch by heating them on a griddle.

When the meat is marked, but not cooked, remove it from the pot and set aside. Add a little more oil and cook the vegetables for 10 minutes. They do not need to be done, we only want to soften them slightly and let them release their flavor.

4. After 10 minutes, put the meat in the pot with the vegetables. Add enough water to cover everything and add a bay leaf and basil to taste. Cover the pot and cook. If you use a pressure cooker, with 35 minutes of cooking time it will be ready. In the case of using a normal pot, you will need about 50 minutes.

Once you have the meat, let it cool. Once cool, cut it into medium portions in a way that suits you well for shredding (larding). Do not throw anything away, neither the vegetables nor the juice that may be left, and put the meat back into the pot with everything.

If you still have enough water in the pot, cook it all for 10-15 minutes more, but uncovered. Otherwise, you can mix it all a little and leave it as it is. If you can leave the meat in the refrigerator until the next day, do so, it will taste better.

To make the arepas, mix in a bowl the two glasses of flour with a glass of water, keep the other half that you have reserved. Work the dough for a couple of minutes and add the remaining water only if you see that it is too dry. When you have it, let it rest for about 20 minutes.

Make 8 balls with the dough. Flatten them so that they are about the thickness of a finger and have a diameter good enough to fill them.

Heat a paella pan and add a little oil. Cook the arepas for about 8 minutes on each side over medium heat, we want them to be well done inside.

At the same time, prepare the guacamole. It is as simple as cutting the onion very small. Peel the tomato, remove the water inside and cut it also very small. Peel the avocados and cut them into cubes. Put it all together in a dish, add a pinch of salt and lemon juice, and mash it all with a fork. Set aside.