Cheese Arepas - cooking recipe

Ingredients

10 fluid ounces warm water
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces masa harina flour
4 ounces manchego cheese, grated (pecorino romano can be substituted)
oil, for shallow frying
1 avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
16 black olives, pitted and halved

Preparation

Place the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and gradually add the warm water, mixing to form a stiff dough.
Add the cheese and knead the dough for a few minutes then form into 4 balls.
Flatten the balls to a thickness of about 1/2 inch.
Heat oil in a large frying pan.
Add the arepas and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until crisp and golden, turning 3 or 4 times.
Drain on kitchen paper.
To Serve - split the arepas in half, place on serving plates and garnish with avocado, tomato slices and olives.