When I think about pastelitos, I remember my grandfather FoFo waking up early to get café con leche, Cuban bread, and delicious pastelitos. These are probably the best pastries ever made. Pastelitos come in many flavors such as: guava, guava y queso, carne, etc. My personal favorite would be the guava but every once in a while I would crave those filled with carne. Each and every Saturday and Sunday morning my family and I would all sit around and eat, laugh and tell stories. It’s amazing how different flavors of food can take you back to your childhood. I love reminiscing those days especially since I live so far from my family. Each and every time we visit Miami my children are so excited to go to Cuban café’s where they are able to eat all the delicious foods that I grew up with. It’s been a few years now since Fofo has passed away and each time we have a pastelito we think of him. Since the nearest Cuban bakery is hundreds of miles away I have created my own pastelito recipe and of course I added my twist. Pastelitos can be filled with just about everything from sweet jams to salty meats and vegetables. I make variety, which include roasted tomatoes, goat cheese, homemade strawberry jam, and ground beef. I have included a simple recipe to follow and a video to watch. Remember to always enjoy food amongst those that you love.
Ingredients:
- Pepperidge Farm Pastry Puff Dough
- Granulated
- Sugar Water
- Vanilla
- Strawberry Jam
- Guava Cream Cheese
- Roasted Tomatoes
- Garlic
Directions: Thaw out pastry puff dough for about 5 minutes. Open pastry puff dough and lay flat on parchment paper. Dip the tips of your fingers in flour and lightly coat the pastry dough. (Remember the less you touch the dough the better it will puff.) Slice pastry dough in four sections and gently separate each strip. Add favorite filling in the middle of the strip and gently fold over and press down on the ends. Cut small slits on the top of the pastry to allow steam to escape. In a small dish add granulated sugar to water and warm up for about 20 seconds in microwave, add vanilla to mixture and lightly brush the top of the pastelitos. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let sit for 10 minutes and then Enjoy! Follow Jennifer Betances on Twitter: @Cubanwithatwist
