Guava Paste Guayabate Food

GUAVA PASTE-GUAYABATE

Steps:

• Cut guavas in half and scoop out the seeds.
• Soak the seeds in 1 cup of the water.
• Place the guavas in a saucepan with the remaining water.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the guavas are very soft.
• Stir often to prevent scorching and sticking to the pot.
• Strain the water from the seeds-it will be slightly mucilaginous-and add to the cooked guavas.
• Discard seeds.
• Grind the guavas through a food mill and measure pulp.
• Add an equal amount of sugar.
• Mix well and place in a large heavy saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture is thick and a little jelly tested on an ice cube can be lifted off in one piece.
• Remove from heat and beat with a wooden spoon for 10 minutes or until the mixture forms a heavy paste.
• Turn out into a loaf pan lined with wax paper or a square casserole pan lined with wax paper.
• Set in a cool place for 24 hours.
• To store, turn the paste out of the pan and wrap it securely in foil.
• *Fora dried consistency, place the cooked paste on wax paper on a wooden board, cover with cheesecloth and set in the sun for two days.
• Turn the paste occasionally to expost all surfaces to the sun.

PASTELES DE GUAYABA: GUAVA PASTRIES

Steps:

• Blend the cream cheese, butter and flour until well mixed. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Roll out the dough into a 1/4-inch thick square. Cut the rolled dough into 16 to 20 squares.
• A little off center of each square, place 1 tablespoon guava paste. Fold the dough over the guava paste, forming a triangle. Press the edges shut. Place the pasteles onto a cookie sheet and sprinkle them with a thin layer of sugar.
• Bake until the pasteles are evenly browned, about 25 minutes.

PASTELITO DE GUAYABA (CUBAN GUAVA PASTRY)

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, add all guava shells and half the syrup from one can; Process until it reaches a smooth consistency; Put puree in a medium saucepan and cook at low heat until reduced to a very thick consistency; Let guava cool and then fill into pastry bag.
• In a medium mixing bowl, add 4 ounces of water, 2 ounces of butter, and salt and mix until smooth; Then add flour and work well until all ingredients are incorporated; Continue to add water, a little at a time, working the dough until a medium-hard consistency is reached; Form dough into a ball and let rest for 15 minutes; Roll the dough into a flat square, about 1/2-inch thick.
• Place the remaining butter in the middle of square and pat down by hand to form a square about one-half the size of the dough square; Fold over the 4 corners of the dough, 1 at a time, overlapping each other so that a sealed envelope is formed enclosing the butter; Dust with flour and roll out to form a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick; Now fold 1/3 of the rectangle dough towards the middle and the remaining 1/3 over those 2; Let dough rest for 15 minutes; Now repeat process above of rolling out and folding in 3, 2 more times, resting 15 minutes between each.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Roll out a final time into a rectangle and fold ¼ of the dough on each side to the middle and then fold 1 more time down the middle to form 4 flaps in the fold; Let rest for 15 minutes; Roll out to a rectangle to about 1/8-inch thick; With a knife, cut the flattened dough into a 4-inch wide strip by length of your baking sheet; Lay strip on sheet pan lined with waxed paper and put filling lengthwise in the middle in continuous stream about 3/4-inch in diameter; Spray edges of strips with water and cover with another 4-inch strip of dough the same size as bottom; Press the edges together by hand very softly all the way around; Brush top with egg wash and bake for 35 minutes.
• Remove from oven and brush with a simple syrup over the top and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven and cut crosswise into 16 pieces.

GUAVA CUBAN PASTRY (PASTELITO DE GUAYABA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cut guava paste into 18 thin slices.
• Unroll puff pastry and cut into 18 squares. Place a thin slice of guava paste onto each square and fold pastry piece over to make a triangle. Using a fork, pinch the edges of the triangle together. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar if you like.
• Bake in the preheated oven until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

GUAYABATE

Steps:

• Cover the guavas with water in a medium nonreactive pot and cook over medium heat until soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly, and then purée the guava in a food processor. Strain to remove the seeds and measure 2 cups.
• Combine the guava purée and the sugar in the nonreactive pot over medium heat, adjusting the heat to maintain a constant simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick and you can see the bottom of the pot when scraped with a spoon, about 30 minutes. Add the lemon juice and stir to combine.
• Turn a baking sheet upside down, spray lightly with oil, place a piece of parchment paper on top, and dust lightly with sugar. Pour the cooked guava mixture onto the baking sheet and spread with an offset spatula to about 1/2 inch thick. Allow to cool to the touch until it doesn't feel sticky, 40 to 50 minutes, then spread on the cajeta to about 1/2 inch from the edges. Sprinkle the pecans all over. Roll tightly away from you until you reach the center, then cut along the rolled edge. Repeat with the remaining half so you have 2 rolls. Allow to set, and cut into slices as desired. To store, wrap in parchment paper and then in plastic wrap. Store in a dry, cool area for up to 1 month.
• VARIATION: GUAVA ROLL-UPS
• Let the guava mixture cool on the baking sheet, without adding the cajeta and nuts, then slice into long strips and roll up.
• VARIATION: GUAVA PASTE
• Pour the guava mixture into a lightly oiled mold or ceramic serving dish, cover, and allow to set at room temperature.
• VARIATION: MANGO CARAMEL PECAN ROLLS
• To use mangoes instead of guavas, peel the mangoes, cook in boiling water for 5 minutes, then let cool. Remove the flesh and purée, strain, and then measure out 2 cups and proceed with the recipe.