Guava And Cream Cheese Empanadas Recipes

CHEESY GUAVA EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
• Put 3 or 4 of the empanada wrappers on a flat work surface. Spoon 2 teaspoons of cream cheese on the bottom half of each, then spread to create a half-moon shape, leaving a 1/2-inch gap between the cream cheese and the edge. Divide the guava paste into 1-ounce sections; depending on how the paste is packaged, you can either cut it into planks or scoop out about 3 teaspoons per empanada (using 3 teaspoons rather than 1 tablespoon will make the empanadas easier to seal). Finally, top each empanada with about 2 tablespoons of grated cheese.
• Make an egg wash by whisking the egg in a small bowl with a splash of water. Brush the outer edge of each wrapper with the egg wash, then seal by folding each wrapper in half and pressing the edges together with your fingers. Arrange the empanadas on the prepared baking sheets, then crimp the edges of each with a fork, pushing down enough to seal but not enough to go through the dough. Assemble, seal and crimp the remaining empanadas.
• Brush the top side of each empanada with the egg wash, then bake until the outsides are dark golden brown and feel crispy to the touch, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for at least 5 minutes, then serve.

PASTELITOS (GUAVA AND CREAM CHEESE PASTRIES)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Prepare an egg wash: In a small bowl, beat the egg with a pinch of salt and set aside.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll one sheet of puff pastry into an 8-by-12-inch rectangle roughly the size of a standard sheet of paper. (Keep the other puff pastry sheet in the refrigerator.) Dust off any excess flour and lay the rolled pastry sheet on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Dip a pastry brush into the egg wash, and paint a line in lengthwise along the center of the pastry sheet, followed by three crosswise lines, evenly spaced, forming a grid of 8 rectangles, each approximately 3 inches wide and 4 inches long. Brush edges with egg wash. Lay a slice of guava paste in the center of each rectangle (or dot with dollops of jam or preserves, if using). Spread some of the cream cheese, if using, on top of the guava paste (about 1 1/2 tablespoons cream cheese per pastry).
• Remove the second sheet of puff pastry from the refrigerator, and roll it out into an 8-by-11-inch rectangle, dusting with flour as needed to prevent sticking. Lay the second sheet of puff pastry on top of the first. Using the side of your palm, press around and between the mounds of filling, pressing out any excess air, and to glue the top pastry to the bottom, creating 8 even, rectangular pockets. Paint the top sheet of puff pastry with egg wash. Sprinkle the surface with sugar.
• Using a knife or bench scraper, cut out and separate the 8 pastelitos following the original grid in between the indentations in the dough. Trim the perimeter to neaten the rectangles. The dough should still be cool to the touch; if it is warm, return the pastelitos to the refrigerator on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to firm up before baking.
• Bake pastelitos until puffed and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CHEESY GUAVA EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Roll 1 pastry sheet into 12-inch square on lightly floured surface; cut into 8 rounds with 3-inch cookie cutter. Repeat with remaining pastry sheet. Reserve trimmings for garnish.
• Spoon about 1 tsp. guava paste onto center of each pastry round; top with 1 Singles piece. Brush edges of pastry with egg; fold in half. Seal edges with fork. Garnish with reserved pastry trimmings as desired; brush with egg.
• Place on parchment-covered baking sheet.
• Bake 15 min. or until golden brown.

GUAVA EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine flour, salt and baking powder in large bowl. Cut in lard with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add water, stirring until mixture forms a ball. Place on lightly floured surface; knead 5 min. or until dough is smooth and elastic. Divide into 16 equal balls. Roll out each ball to 4-inch circle; set aside.
• Mix cream cheese, guava, peanuts and 2 Tbsp. of the honey. Spoon about 1 Tbsp. of the cream cheese mixture onto center of each dough circle. Brush edge of each circle with some of the egg; fold in half. Press edges together with fork to seal. Place on greased baking sheet. Lightly brush tops with remaining egg.
• Bake 20 min. or until golden brown. Serve drizzled with the remaining 2 Tbsp. honey.