The Perfect Cheese Pairings For Guava Paste

Guava paste is a sweet, thick purée of guava fruit and sugar, often with added pectin. It is popular in Spain, Colombia, Brazil, the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico, where it is commonly served with cheese. The salty cheese and sweet guava paste make for a heavenly combination.

Guava paste with cheese is also known as Romeo and Juliet in Brazil and Romeo y Julieta in Puerto Rico. In Colombia, it is called Bocadillo con Queso and is served as a simple dessert or appetiser.

Guava and cheese as an appetizer

Guava and cheese is a classic pairing enjoyed in many Latin American countries, including Colombia, Brazil, and Puerto Rico. It is a simple combination that makes for a delicious appetizer or party snack.

Ingredients

Guava paste is made from a thick puree of guava fruit and sugar and is readily available in Latin markets or the international aisle of your local supermarket. It is usually packaged in short, wide cans or in the shape of a bar encased in plastic packaging. For the cheese, you can use white cheese (queso blanco), mozzarella, feta, brie, cream cheese, or farmer's cheese.

Preparation

Preparing this appetizer is straightforward. Cut the guava paste and cheese into cubes or squares and skewer them together using a toothpick. You can also place them on a serving plate or add them to a fruit platter. For a fancier presentation, cut the ingredients into cute shapes. You can serve this appetizer as-is or with crackers on the side. If you want to get creative, you can also melt the guava paste with a little water on the stovetop and blend it with cream cheese for a dip.

Serving Suggestions

This appetizer is best served chilled, so be sure to refrigerate until serving time. It is a tasty combination of sweet and salty flavors that your guests are sure to enjoy.

Guava and cheese as a dessert

Guava and cheese is a classic pairing enjoyed in Colombia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. The combination of salty cheese and sweet guava paste is a heavenly combination that you simply must try. Guava and cheese is a simple dessert that only requires two ingredients and is easy to make. It can be served as an appetizer or a dessert, cut into little pieces or skewered with a toothpick.

Guava paste is a thick puree of guava fruit and sugar, often with added pectin. It is popular in Spain and the Caribbean and can be found in short, wide cans or in the shape of a bar encased in plastic packaging. All you need to do is slice and assemble. The guava paste can be paired with white cheese (queso blanco), queso fresco, mozzarella cheese, feta, brie, or cream cheese.

For a more complex dessert, you can make a Puerto Rican guava and cream cheese dip. This dip combines guava and cream cheese in a velvety, flavorful addition to your dessert spread. It can be served with salty crackers or used as a filling for pastries.

So, the next time you're looking for a unique and delicious dessert, why not give guava and cheese a try? It's a simple yet heavenly combination that is sure to impress your taste buds.

Where to buy guava paste

Guava paste is a sweet delicacy in Latin households and can be found in Latin markets, online, or at your local supermarket in the International aisle. Here are some specific places where you can buy guava paste:

Walmart

Walmart sells Goya Guava Paste in 21 oz cans. You can check the availability of this product at your local Walmart store or choose ground shipping to have it delivered to your home.

Amazon

Amazon offers a variety of guava paste options, including the popular Goya brand in a 21 oz can. However, please note that product availability may vary, so it's always good to check the website for the latest information.

Goya

Goya, a well-known brand for Latin cuisine, offers guava paste through its online store. You can purchase a 6-pack or 12-pack of 21 oz cans directly from their website.

Local Supermarkets

Keep an eye out for guava paste at your local supermarket, especially in the International aisle. It is often sold in short, wide cans or in the shape of a bar encased in plastic packaging.

Remember, guava paste is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in both sweet and savoury dishes. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses, making it a perfect appetizer or snack.

How to use guava paste

Guava paste is a sweet, thick purée made from guava fruit and sugar, often with added pectin. It is popular in the Caribbean and Spain and is commonly paired with cheese. Here are some ways you can use guava paste:

Appetizers and Snacks

The simplest way to use guava paste is to cut it into squares and serve it with cheese. You can use white cheese (queso blanco), queso fresco, mozzarella, feta, brie, or cream cheese. For an easy snack, you can also cut the guava paste and cheese into cubes and skewer them with a toothpick. These can be served alone, with crackers, or even placed on top of Ritz crackers.

Desserts

Guava paste can be used in a variety of desserts, either as a filling or as a topping. Here are some dessert ideas:

• Baked plantains stuffed with guava and cheese
• Guava, dulce de leche, and cheese pastries
• Ripe plantain cake with guava and cheese
• Guava cake
• Guava paste muffins
• Guava turnovers
• Guava-swirled cheesecake
• Baked brie cheese empanadas with guava rum sauce
• Guava soufflé with custard sauce
• Guava tart

Savoury Dishes

Guava paste can also be used in savoury dishes, such as:

• Guava and Manchego phyllo pouches with passion fruit syrup
• Guava-stuffed chicken with caramelized mango
• Guava-glazed pork tenderloin with cilantro-jalapeño salsa
• Paninis with mild white cheese, salty ham, and a thin spread of guava paste
• Guava gochujang BBQ sauce for meat or fish
• Guava sliders

Guava and cheese in pastries

Guava and cheese is a classic pairing, and pastries are a perfect way to enjoy this combination. Here are some tips and ideas for creating delicious guava and cheese pastries:

Choosing the Right Cheese

The key to a successful guava and cheese pastry is finding a cheese that complements the sweet and tangy flavour of guava paste. Popular choices include:

• White cheese (queso blanco)
• Mozzarella
• Feta
• Cream cheese
• Brie
• Queso fresco
• Farmer's cheese

Preparing the Guava Paste

Guava paste, also known as guayabate or goiabada, is a thick puree of guava fruit and sugar, often with added pectin. It can be found in Latin markets, online, or in the international aisle of your local supermarket. To prepare the guava paste for pastries, simply slice or cut it into squares. You can also thin it out by blending it with a small amount of hot water in a food processor.

Assembling the Pastries

Once you have your cheese and guava paste ready, it's time to assemble your pastries! Here are a few ideas:

• Guava and Cheese Turnovers: Cut your puff pastry into squares. Place a slice of cheese and guava paste on one half of the square, then fold over the other half and seal the edges. Brush with an egg wash and bake until golden.
• Guava and Cream Cheese Rugelach: Create a cream cheese dough by mixing cream cheese, butter, and flour. Roll out the dough into a circle and spread a layer of guava paste on top. Cut the circle into triangles, then roll up each triangle from the wide base to the tip. Brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with sugar before baking.
• Baked Guava and Cheese Empanadas: Prepare your favourite empanada dough recipe or use store-bought empanada discs. Cut the dough into circles and fill each with a spoonful of guava paste and a slice of cheese. Fold the dough over the filling and crimp the edges with a fork. Brush with an egg wash and bake until golden.

Serving Suggestions

Guava and cheese pastries can be served as a delicious dessert or a unique addition to a cheese board or potluck spread. They are best served warm, but they are also tasty at room temperature. For a fancier presentation, dust the pastries with powdered sugar or drizzle with a glaze made from guava juice and powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions