If you come to my house for Valentine's Day, it is required (not optional) that you bring a valentine for all those present. I love the elementary school version of the holiday that celebrates love for all your pals in a non-icky-long-stem-roses kind of way.
In this vein, this is my valentine to you. Each of you. Inspired by a long ago lazy afternoon spent with good friends at that purple Cuban cafe on Sunset in Silver Lake.
These turnovers should be accompanied by big steamy mugs of cafe con leche, and of course, people you really like.
Guava Cheese Turnovers
- 1 17.3-ounce package puff pastry sheets (I use Pepperidge Farms.)
- about half a tin of Guava Paste
, cut into thin (1/4 inch?) slices
- 2/3 cup raw cashews
- scant 2/3 cup plain soy yogurt or one 6-ounce container (I really like Wildwood.)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch salt
If your puff pastry is frozen, get it out of the freezer. Open it up and let it thaw on the counter.
Now let's make the cheese. Grind the cashews in a food processor to a a pretty fine meal. Add the yogurt, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Process again until smooth and creamy.
Arrange a rack in the center of your oven, and preheat to 400 degrees.
When the pastry is pliable, unfold it on a floured counter or board, and cut each sheet into four smaller squares.
Place a generous tablespoon of cheese onto the middle of each square.
Arrange a slice or two of guava paste on top of each dollop of cheese.
Fold over to make a triangle. Seal edges with the tines of a fork. With a sharp paring knife, cut a few little slits in the top of the pastry to allow steam to escape.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Happy Valentine's Day, Love.
