Silent Sunday

Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way ... to be free.~
Leonard Cohen

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

Breakfast for Dinner?...or Dinner for Breakfast!

When you finally feel a sigh of relief that you are on the "mend" again, you can just sit back...relax, and thank God you are "alive and kicking!"...seriously, this is how I'm feeling all this last few days of this week. Actually having more energy, and planning to making more effort to get more work done...do some spring cleaning,  organizing, and plan more exciting healthy menus, and keep concentrating on staying healthy, and on track with my Weight Watchers program.

I have not had any strength or energy making anything after the Spicy Thai Squid project, so last evening I decided to check for all the available stuff I had in my fridge to concoct some healthy dinner. I always have plenty of eggs on hand, fresh veggies and fresh herbs that need to be used up. Also found a nice portion of perfectly cut little veggies, potatoes, zucchini, onion, and I decided to make a Ranch Style egg with my last can of Red Gold petite diced tomatoes. I have to be honest it was fast, easy, and very delicious. You should try it sometimes...have it both ways, breakfast, or dinner, use whatever you have leftover in the fridge...break an egg or two over the vegetables, let it cook for a few minutes, and dinner is served! I did not serve this over tortilla shells, to save on points. Potatoes served as "starch."

Ranch Style Eggs- (Huevos Rancheros)
my own creation


A good portion of leftover cooked potatoes, cooked vegetables, even rice, or pasta will do!
2 cups leftover diced, cooked vegetable
1 cup diced canned, or fresh tomatoes
herbs, such as fresh parsley, basil, or cilantro
seasoning of your choice. ( I used cayenne pepper, garlic salt, cumin, and few drops of hot sauce)
Reheat vegetable in a work or a large nonstick skillet, add the tomatoes, and spices, and heat to a boil.

In a small dish, break an egg into it...

Carefully slide it onto the cooked veggies, make a little well and let it cook until you see the white form.
Adjust seasoning, and sprinkle with your favorite herbs.

You can serve it over tortilla shell but can eat it with a slice of toast, as well!
Points value: 5













I must admit the real reason that I have been so ill for the last 6, perhaps even 8 weeks, and not really admitting it is; When you have emotional strings "tugging at your sides"...it affects your physical health, as well. We all have obstacles in our daily life of some sorts that we have to deal with, and I've had my share of that in the last few months.

All this time I've resided on Palm Beach Island; since the last few years, I have not taken a walk on A-1 A which is the route you take along the scenic beach view all along the from North, to South all the way to Miami. I decided to take a little walk from my my condo unit to want to check out the sunset, walking south from where I live. On the right side is the Intracoastal waterway, that connects Palm Beach, to West Palm Beach. On the left side...going south is the Atlantic Ocean.

I have also made a discovery in the last few months driving by, less than 1/4 mile across the street from me... a new bench has been added to the sidewalk...not just one, but 2, which is facing the water!

Believe it or not, this bench has been erected here, facing the gorgeous water view...so you can catch the sunset...it has been placed in the honor of one of the owners of a near-by condo unit, for his 80th birthday, back in Jan. 2012.
There's 3 plaks on the upper part of the bench mentioning the gentleman's name, and from who this was given from. A public bench that can be enjoyed by all! Which I certainly did!

A magnificent sunset from sitting on the bench...gathering my thoughts. A great place to renew your heart...letting the calm and clear water refresh your soul!
Try to find a quiet place to sit and write down your thoughts. We all need a new way to refresh our spirit daily...with nature's blessings!

When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you...a JOY
~Rumi

Living in harmony and feeling nurtured by your environment, a condition of respect and appreciation for your home, nature, and the earth!