Pasteles de Guayaba-(Cuban Guava Pastries)

Hi Everyone! You may be wondering, or not...where I could have been; so unlike me, to disappear for one month and not announce where, or why?...or perhaps what happened to my untimely disappearance, when I have always seemed to share my routine activities on my blog. Well, it hasn't been the best of my last month, being without my family; missing them, terribly...both my 2 children and my 4 grandchildren away on their respective vacations...and me; left behind...a first time, in 12 years!

Also, for the last 2 years, I have stopped celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and special events, that have been bringing happy memories in my life...the past entire month have been bringing up such 'bittersweet' memories for me...thinking about my past 2 year losses of loved ones I lost; including my 2 beloved cats, Prince and Mush and my son's beautiful Black Lab beloved family dog named Thai...all gone in the last 2 years! Sometimes feelings get so overwhelming when you stop to think about recent losses, and sad 'world events'...you just have to take a step-back...take a 'break' away from a 'routine' and pray in silence... for better 'tomorrow' and PEACE for our future!

For the last two weeks, I've been wanting to post my 'new found' amazing, and ridiculously easy dessert that I made, but been putting it off, thinking that I may have lost my food blogger friends...since I have not commented to all of you, since the last time I posted. I really appreciate all your friendship and I hope I did not offend you in any way! Well, after hesitating to even look into my own blog...I'm back, and starting my 4th year blogging, this month...it's either 'Do, or DIE' so; no party, no celebration...just a quiet return for more, and hopefully better year!

"Ay Que Rico"...as they say in Spanish..."Oh, How Good"...and it certainly is, this magical Guava paste, which is made from Guava fruit, that we are so fortunate to have it growing in South Florida.

To be perfectly honest, I have never made this pastry in all my years living in South Florida; always buying it in our local supermarket, fresh, and warm to savor with a 'Cafecito'...which is a Cuban espresso, or 'Café con leche' the Cuban coffee with milk...a match made in 'heaven' for coffee lovers like myself! Here, in West Palm Beach, you can also find these yummy pastries in Cuban restaurants, and Cuban bakeries...and even at a local Cuban gas station; always served warm, and oozing with the guava paste that is naturally sweet, and is so good for you...rich with Vitamin C!

Photo...courtesy of  the Internet

This is what a ripe Guava fruit looks like on a Guava tree! Although, most of the trees are found in Miami, I have not seen them in anyone's yard, other than on a Guava Farm.

Pasteles de Guayaba-Cuban Guava Pastries

source; adapted from 3 different Internet recipes

1 package of puff pastry
1 package of Guava Paste
1 egg and 1 Tbsp. cane sugar for sprinkling




Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Thaw puff pastry according to package directions.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and unfold one of the pastry sheets onto the pan.

Slice the guava paste into 1/2 inch slices, and place evenly over the pastry sheet.

Top with second puff pastry sheet and cut into desired slices. I cut mine into 4x6 inches.
( Use a pizza cutter for easier cutting.)

With a sharp knife, cut small slashes for air vents. Beat egg in a small bowl, and brush the top of the puff pastries, and sprinkle the cane sugar over it.

Bake at 375 Degrees F. for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool to room temperature, and serve. Refrigerate leftovers (if any) very nice reheat!








So delicious as a breakfast/brunch treat, or an afternoon snack, paired with your favorite coffee or tea, or just with an ice cold glass of your favorite milk.

Note: In my 40 yrs of living in S. Florida, this is the first time I have made this super easy and delicious Guava Pastries...my family loved it, and have requested to keep making it. Next time, I will spread cream cheese over the guava paste...yumm

Ingredients

• 1 Package of Puff Pastry
• 1 Package of Guava Paste
• 1 package of Cream Cheese (optional)
• 1 Egg & Cane Sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F
2. Thaw Puff pastry according to package directions.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and unfold one of the pastry sheets and place on pan.
4. Slice guava into ¼ inch slices and place evenly on the pastry sheet.
5. Spread cream cheese over guava paste slices (optional)
6. Top with second puff pastry sheet and cut into desired pastry size. I cut mine in 2 inch squares.
7. Beat egg in a small bowl and brush over the top of the pastries. Sprinkle with cane sugar.
8. Bake at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and serve.

- See more at: http://afewshortcuts.com/2013/07/easy-guava-pastries-recipe/#sthash.nKPDe7Sy.dpuf

Ingredients

• 1 Package of Puff Pastry
• 1 Package of Guava Paste
• 1 package of Cream Cheese (optional)
• 1 Egg & Cane Sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F
2. Thaw Puff pastry according to package directions.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and unfold one of the pastry sheets and place on pan.
4. Slice guava into ¼ inch slices and place evenly on the pastry sheet.
5. Spread cream cheese over guava paste slices (optional)
6. Top with second puff pastry sheet and cut into desired pastry size. I cut mine in 2 inch squares.
7. Beat egg in a small bowl and brush over the top of the pastries. Sprinkle with cane sugar.
8. Bake at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and serve.

- See more at: http://afewshortcuts.com/2013/07/easy-guava-pastries-recipe/#sthash.nKPDe7Sy.dpuf