Authentic Colombian Cheese Arepas

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1. 1Step 1: Pour water into a large bowl. Add arepa corn flour, salt, oil, and 1/2 cup of Jarlsberg cheese, and mix thoroughly to combine. Cover with a towel and let the dough rest for five minutes.
2. 2Step 2: Working with moist hands, remove about 3 tablespoons worth of dough and flatten it between your palms. Add 1 tablespoon of cheese in the middle, and top with a handful more dough, gently pressing to seal the cheese inside and form a patty about 1/4 inch thick. If you want perfectly shaped arepas, place each arepa ball between 2 sheets of wax paper or plastic wrap and flatten them to 1/4 inch with a heavy cast iron pan. Repeat until you're out of dough and cheese, transferring prepared arepas to a large platter.
3. 3Step 3: Preheat your budare (special arepas pan), griddle, or cast iron pan to high heat. Season with oil or butter. Place the arepas in the pan and cook about 5 minutes on each side, until you achieve a golden-brown colour and a beautiful char in spots.
4. 4Step 4: To serve arepas, cut them in half and put your favourite toppings inside. Drizzle with Colombian pico de gallo and aji.