High-Protein Huevos Pericos With Arepas
Why this version is better
These swaps increase protein by approximately 16g per serving, reduce total fat by roughly 18g, and cut calories by ~163 per serving — pushing well under the 700-calorie target. The reduction in saturated fat from butter and full-fat mozzarella improves the cardiovascular profile of the meal. The high egg-white ratio ensures satiety through protein rather than fat.
Cooking note: Replacing whole eggs with a mix of whole eggs and egg whites increases protein without adding fat. Swapping butter for a light olive oil spray reduces saturated fat significantly. Using reduced-fat mozzarella cuts fat while keeping the melt and structural role of cheese in the arepas intact. No wet-to-dry ratio changes are needed as these swaps are volume-neutral.
- 1 ¼ cupswarm water
- 1 cupprecooked white cornmeal (masarepa)
- ½ tablespoonkosher salt
- ½ tablespoonlight brown sugar
- 6 tablespoonsreduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese, dividedSwapshredded mozzarella cheese, dividedreduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 spray (about 1 tsp)olive oil cooking spraySwap2 tablespoons softened unsalted butterolive oil cooking spray
- 3 wholelarge eggs
- 6large egg whitesSwap3 of the 6 large eggslarge egg whites
- 1 teaspoonkosher salt
- 1 teaspooncanola oilSwap1 tablespoon canola oilcanola oil
- 2roma tomatoes, diced
- 2scallions, sliced, divided
Original recipe from source
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