Despite my doughy arepas, I did end up fairly pleased with what I dropped off to the refugees on Saturday; I think it’s a pretty classic Venezuelan meal.
Clockwise from top left: roasted sweet potatoes, pulled pork topped with cotija cheese, pickled red onions, arepas, cabbage & carrot slaw, chicken & avocado salad, black beans, served with tizana (fruit with juice). I just wish I’d had some hot sauce on hand to send along for them’s that like it hot.
There are various Venezuelan restaurants in Chicago — now I want to go eat at one of them, and see how all this is SUPPOSED to taste. 
I’ve had arepas before, but long enough ago that I don’t really remember the texture.
