The name of this dessert comes from a Brazilian advertisement from the 1960s, where Romeo the cheese fell in love with guava, called Juliet. But just like its lovers of the same name, this cheese and fruit paste combination is unique for all ages.
When combined, the two ingredients create a perfect union of flavors and textures, a combination that most Brazilians never tire of, whether as a dessert or an appetizer.
Finding the traditional ingredients of Romeo and Juliet outside Brazil can be tricky. This is especially true for the cheese. To make an truly authentic Romeo and Juliet, you need queijo minas from the Minas Gerais region of Brazil. This white cheese is soft and slightly salty.
The second ingredient is guava paste, known as goiabada. This sweet, thick preserve is made from red guavas and sugar, and often comes in a brick form. Some Brazilians spread it on toast for breakfast.
This recipe couldn't be simpler. Once you have the guava paste and cheese, just cut them into slices and serve together. When combined, stacked one on top of the other, the cheese and guava paste come together to produce a delicious blend of sweet and mildly salty, with the two smooth textures merging into a perfectly paired bite.
You can also place the slices on a plate or stack them on toothpicks for perfectly matched, easy-to-handle bites.
