Caribbean Guava Tart Recipes

GUAVA CHEESE TART

Steps:

• Place the cream cheese and panela or farmer cheese in a bowl and mix well with a spoon.
• Line in a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place 1 of the puff pastry circles on the baking sheet.
• Brush a 1" rim around the outside edge with some of the beaten egg.
• Pat the cheese mixture into an 8" circle in the center and spread the guava paste or jam evenly over the top.
• Fold the remaining piece of puff pastry in half and place over the first piece.
• Unfold the pastry to enclose the filling, being careful not to trap air beneath.
• Gently press the top and bottom edges together and refrigerate about 25 minutes, or until dough is thoroughly chilled.
• Remove from refrigerator.
• Working about 1-1/2" from the outside, firmly press the edges of pastry together with the tines of a fork to seal.
• Then trim the excess dough, leaving an even 1" border of crust surrounding the filling.
• With a sharp pairing knife, cut out and discard a 1/4" circle of dough from the center and press out any trapped air.
• Then, making shallow cuts, trace 6-8 circular lines in a spiral pattern from the center hole to the inside edge of the sealed crust (if the dough gets too warm to work with, just return to the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so to harden).
• Mix the heavy cream, with the remaining beaten egg and brush over the top of the tart: cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
• To bake, preheat the oven to 450ºF.
• Transfer the pan from the refrigerator to the oven and bake 15 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown on top.
• Reduce the oven temp to 350ºF.
• Bake until the jelly is bubbling and the bottom crust, when lifted with a spatulas, is browned, 30-40 minutes.
• Set aside to cool on a rack up to 15 minutes.
• Serve warm with whipped topping, if you choose.

CARIBBEAN COCONUT TART

Steps:

• Prepare the pastry as directed: In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and grated orange peel.
• With a pastry blender, cut in butter until fine particles form.
• Add 1 lightly beaten egg and stir with a fork until well blended; work with your hands until dough holds together in a ball. Divide into thirds.
• Set aside 1/3 of the pastry for lattice strips.
• On a lightly floured waxed paper, roll out the other 2/3 to a 12-inch circle. Use the paper to lift and gently turn pastry into a 10 1/2-inch tart pan with removable bottom (or 10-inch pie pan).
• Shape to bottom and sides of pan; trim excess from top edge of tart pan (or away from rim of pie pan).
• Bake in a 325*F oven for 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, divide remaining pastry into 10 pieces; on a lightly floured board roll each into a 10 to 12 inch rope. Cover and refrigerate while mixing filling.
• Filling: In a bowl lightly beat the eggs, then stir in sugar, salt and flour. Add coconut, orange juice and melted butter; mix well. Pour into prepared crust.
• Criss-cross ropes of dough on top of filling. Trim and press ends to edges of pastry. Return to a 325* oven and bake until crust is golden brown and center is set, about 40 minutes.
• Warm the jelly or jam until melted and carefully brush it over top of hot tart. Cool completely, as long as 24 hours, then remove sides of pan and cut tart in wedges.