How to Make Irresistible Tequeños with Homemade Guava Sauce

Simple Summary

Tequeños with Guava Sauce are crispy Venezuelan cheese sticks paired with a sweet and tangy dipping sauce, offering a perfect blend of savory and fruity flavors in every bite.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Servings: 6
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Tequeños:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 12 oz queso blanco or firm white cheese, cut into 3-inch long sticks
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Guava Sauce:

• 1 cup guava paste
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.

2. Add cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Use your fingers to work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Gradually add cold water, mixing until the dough comes together. Knead briefly until smooth.

4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch wide strips.

6. Place a cheese stick at one end of each strip and roll the dough around the cheese, sealing the edges with water.

7. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).

8. Fry the tequeños in batches for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

9. For the sauce, combine guava paste, water, lime juice, and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat.

10. Stir constantly until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

11. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving with the tequeños.

Chef's Notes

• For a crispier texture, double-fry the tequeños: fry once for 1 minute, let cool for 5 minutes, then fry again for 1-2 minutes.
• If guava paste is unavailable, substitute with apricot preserves mixed with a splash of lime juice.
• Tequeños can be prepared ahead and frozen before frying. Fry from frozen, adding an extra minute to the cooking time.
• For a healthier version, bake the tequeños at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through.

Nutritional Info

Per serving (3 tequeños with sauce): Approximately 380 calories, 15g protein, 22g fat, 35g carbohydrates. Rich in calcium from the cheese and vitamin C from the guava sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Serve tequeños hot as an appetizer or party snack. They pair well with a cold Venezuelan beer or a fruity sangria. For a complete meal, serve alongside a fresh green salad or as part of a Latin-inspired tapas spread. Garnish the plate with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges for added zest and visual appeal.