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Authentic Oblea Recipe Colombia, South America
JUMP TO RECIPEWe strongly advise you to read the cooking tips before jumping to the recipe though
Introduction & history
When it comes to favorite afternoon snacks, the Americans have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and the Colombians have oblea — a pair of large round wafers usually 20 cm (8") in diameter and only 1 mm thick, typically filled with arequipe (caramel sauce) which makes for a sweet, crunchy sandwich. Other popular fillings include mora (blackberry sauce), condensed milk, and shredded cheese. The oblea dough can be made with only wheat flour and water, although sugar, eggs, milk, and butter may also be used. The obleas are cooked in a special machine which resembles a waffle maker, but industrial versions are widely available. When the obleas cool down, the filling is spread or sprinkled on top of one oblea which is then covered with another oblea to make a sandwich. Obleas are most commonly bought from street vendors as a snack and can be found in most big cities in Colombia, particularly in Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla where they offer a ... Read more
Serve With
Cooking tips
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dough
The typical oblea dough is made with nothing more than wheat flour and water. However, if you prefer richer-tasting obleas, you can replace water with milk and add some sugar, eggs, and fat (oil or butter) to the dough. The water or milk should be added gradually until the mixture starts resembling the one used for pancakes, but it should be less thick. Make sure you stir it well, so there are no ... Read more -
cooking
Obleas are most commonly prepared in a special oblea machine, similar to a waffle maker. It usually consists of two metal plates — flat or patterned one, measuring 15 to 20 cm in diameter. The plates are heated to around 170°C/340°F, and then a spoonful of dough is spread over them. Since the dough is very thin, it should be cooked briefly, so it browns lightly and becomes crispy. To prevent the dough ... Read more -
arequipe
This sweet, caramel-like spread is also known as dulce de leche in Latin American countries. In Colombia, they call it arequipe, but the preparation method is always the same. Sugar is mixed with milk and cooked over low heat for 3 to 5 hours until the mixture thickens and becomes caramel brown. Arequipe should be stirred constantly, so it doesn’t stick to the pot. To do it, use a wooden or a plastic ... Read more -
other fillings
Besides with arequipe, obleas can also be filled with mora (blackberry jam), fresh fruit, shredded coconut, condensed milk, chocolate sugar sprinkles, and shredded cheese. In Colombia, they use queso costeño, a fresh, soft, salty cheese which gives an unexpected kick to the sweetness of arequipe and the sourness of mora.
Recipe variations
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Classic Obleas with Arequipe
Ready in 5h 30minThe following is the basic oblea recipe, requiring only four ingredients. To make obleas, you will have to use a special machine similar to a waffle maker. The preparation of arequipe (Colombian caramel sauce), on the other hand, requires a lot of patience since it cooks for 3 to 5 hours.
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Rich Oblea
Ready in 45minThe following recipe shows an upgraded approach to the preparation of oblea dough. The oblea dough is made with flour, water, sugar, butter, and eggs, but to make it even richer, milk can be used instead of water. This will result in richer, tastier obleas which can be filled with various ingredients.
Classic Obleas with Arequipe
PREP 30min
COOK 5h
READY IN 5h 30min
The following is the basic oblea recipe, requiring only four ingredients. To make obleas, you will have to use a special machine similar to a waffle maker. The preparation of arequipe (Colombian caramel sauce), on the other hand, requires a lot of patience since it cooks for 3 to 5 hours.
Ingredients
Classic Obleas with Arequipe
OBLEAS
1/2 lb (225g) wheat flour
1/4 cup (60 ml) water
AREQUIPE
4 L (1 gal) milk
2 lbs (900g) sugar
Preparation
1
Classic Obleas with Arequipe
Step 1/5
Mix flour and water in a large bowl until you get a smooth, liquid mixture.
Step 2/5
Heat the oblea machine. Put 1 tbsp of oblea dough into the middle of the bottom metal plate, and close the machine. Tost the oblea until it browns lightly and becomes crispy. Repeat the procedure with the remaining dough.
Step 3/5
To make arequipe, place milk and sugar into a large pan and bring them to a boil over low heat.
Step 4/5
Stir constantly with a spoon made out of wood or plastic for 3 to 5 hours, until the arequipe thickens and becomes light brown.
Step 5/5
Spread arequipe on one oblea, top with another, and serve.
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