The combination of crisp grilled tortilla, mozzarella, cream cheese, sweet guava paste and arequipe makes for a deliciously simple dessert.
This quesadilla was inspired by a traditional Colombian pastry called “Pastel Gloria” which is basically a pie crust filled with guava paste, dulce de leche or arequipe and white cheese. I don’t know where the name came from, but it is fantastic.
You may be thinking that the combination of dulce de leche with guava paste is too sweet, but trust me, the cheese balances the sweetness and it’s absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
(4 Servings)
4 small soft flour tortillas
4 tablespoons cream cheese
3 tablespoons arequipe or dulce de leche
8 thin slices of guava paste
8 thin slices of mozzarella cheese
Directions
1. Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
2. Arrange 2 tortillas on a flat surface. Spread each tortilla with 2 tablespoons of cream cheese, 1 ½ tablespoon arequipe, top with 4 slices of guava paste and 4 slices of mozzarella cheese.
3. Top with the remaining to 2 tortillas.
4. Cook until the bottom is lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Turn over and cook until the cheese is melted and the second side is lightly toasted. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and the remaining ingredients to make 2 quesadillas. Cut each into quarters.
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Soma
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 8:00 AM:
This is one very different thing! I have never thought of cooking guava except for jellies… & i really miss the guavas .. they are plentiful in India & I get no fresh ones here at all! Where do you get guava?
Erica
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 8:23 AM:
Hi Soma,
I used guava paste.
rebecca subbiah
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 8:41 AM:
this looks great guava paste never had this before must find some
have a great weekend Erica
Liz
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 9:37 AM:
Wow! What a wonderful idea to try, now I have to find the guava paste…
Oysterculture
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 11:06 AM:
Oh my, this desert sounds so wonderful and different than anything I’ve made before, I have got to come up with an excuse to try it! not that I really need an excuse
Allison Lemons
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 11:45 AM:
So different from the desserts I usually make. Sounds amazing! Love that it has cheese and guava paste. Thanks for the recipe
Maria Jose
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 12:06 PM:
Tienes un blog muy interesante, con unas recetas muy buenas….besos
Diana
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 2:38 PM:
I’ve never seen guava paste. I’m definitely going to keep my eyes open for this. Looks wonderful!
Erica
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 5:11 PM:
Thank you all very much for the comments!
Velva
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 10:39 PM:
As a result of this blog, I discovered a Columbian restaurant in my hometown that focuses on “Columbian fast food” Not sure what that means but, I am planning to pay them a visit.
I grew up in Miami and ate countless guava pastries! Your recipe is another great variation.
Guava can be easily purchased in the ethnic section of your local grocery store and it is delicious.
Nancy
on Jul 24th, 2009
@ 11:57 PM:
Your blog is beautiful and full of fabulous recipes. Thank you!
Lori Lynn
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 3:29 PM:
I never think of sweet quesadillas, this is marvelous!
LL
Danielle
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 6:59 PM:
I never knew or thought of a dessert quesadilla…wow..that opens a whooole bunch of doors. YUM!!!
Tangled Noodle
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 10:26 PM:
A sweet quesadilla sounds delicious! My husband brought back guava paste from Brazil and admittedly, I was a bit surprised that it was a firm, rather than jam-like texture. But as soon as I tasted my first slice, I was hooked. It’s all gone now so I’ll have to search for some more . . .
nora@ffr
on Jul 27th, 2009
@ 2:10 AM:
yumm great combo erica. never used gauva paste before. but this quesadilla looks delishand perfect for a desert
Erica
on Oct 2nd, 2009
@ 7:56 AM:
Thank you everyone, I really appreciate all your comments!