Guava-licious

Okay, folks.

Especially you Cubans stuck in far away places (like Northern California or Tennessee or New Jersey =D) without pastelitos.

If you're having a craving like mine and you absolutely have to make your own...

Here is the official recipe for "Masa Real."

I totally understand a serious pastelito de guayaba "jones."

So I will give you my secret family recipe because I feel your pain...

Pastelitos de Guayaba

3/4 cup vegetable shortening (solid stuff, like Crisco)

4 Tbls. (1/2 stick) salted butter

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

3 Tbls. dry sherry

1 & 1/2 pounds guava paste, cut into 1/4 inch slices

1) Preheat the oven to 350° F. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the shortening and butter together.

2) In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, except the sherry and guava paste.
Add the shortening and butter and, using your hands, mix well.
Add the sherry and mix until well blended.

3) Divide the dough into 2 equal parts, and place one in a 9X12 inch baking pan, patting down evenly to form a bottom crust.  Cover with the guava slices, and place the remaining dough on top, patting down evenly to form a top crust.
Bake until lightly browned, about 40 minutes.  Allow to cool at room temperature, and cut into 2- inch squares. (I know. I know. 2 inches?? who am I kidding?)

Personally, I deviate from the baking pan, and use a round cookie cutter to create circles and put the guava on one side and flip the other over it to create half-moons.

or...

move over, Rachael Ray...

I just cheat.   ;-)