An arepa is a traditional flatbread made from ground maize dough, enjoyed across northern South America since pre-Columbian times. Interestingly, the word arepa actually comes from Cumanagoto, an extinct Cariban language once spoken by indigenous peoples in what is now Venezuela; it's believed to derive specifically from the word erepa, meaning "corn."

One of my favorite versions is the Reina Pepiada. It’s a simple, but delicious, savory filling made with guacamole, shredded chicken breast, and fresh coriander.

I made them at home last week alongside air-fried yuca and *mazorca* (more corn! 😂), and they were a huge hit!

This morning I was browsing some old pictures with L. and when we got to some gastronomic ones, we remembered that a couple of years ago, while my aunt was visiting, we prepared a poke bowl with smoked salmon. Today we tried to replicate the dish but using tuna instead — and the result was fantastic! The combination of sushi rice soaked in rice vinegar, tuna, coriander, mango, wakame, dried red onion, edamame and roasted seaweed, finished with a splash of soy sauce, came together beautifully. Even better than last time!