Strawberry Arepas

Ingredients

• 1 tsp anise seed 
• 0.3 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 oz philadelphia cream cheese softened ()
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1.5 cups strawberries sliced
• 2.5 cups warm water 
• 0.8 cup cool whip whipped topping thawed
• 2 cups cornmeal white (arepa flour)

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan

Directions

1. Mix water and salt in large bowl. Gradually stir in cornmeal until blended.
2. Add cream cheese, brown sugar and anise seed; mix well.
3. Let stand 5 min.
4. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces; shape each into ball. Flatten each into 5-inch patty, rounding edge by moistening lightly with water, if necessary.
5. Heat griddle to medium-high heat.
6. Add patties (arepas); cook 10 to 12 min. on each side or until golden brown on both sides.
7. Cut arepas horizontally in half; fill with strawberries and COOL WHIP.