Romeu e Julieta

Romeu e Julieta (Romeo and Juliet) is perhaps the simplest of all Brazilian dishes. But like its namesake lovers, this cheese and fruit paste pairing is one for the ages. When combined, the two ingredients create a perfect union of flavors and textures—a combination that most Brazilians can’t get enough of, either as a dessert or as an appetizer.

Finding the traditional ingredients for Romeu e Julieta outside of Brazil can be tricky. This is especially true for the cheese. To make a truly authentic Romeu e Julieta, 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 thick, sweet conserve is made of red guavas and sugar, and often comes in brick form. Some Brazilians spread it on toast for breakfast.

When combined, either loosely of stacked on top of each other, the cheese and guava paste come together to produce a moreish mix of sweet and slightly salty, the two soft textures merging into a perfectly paired bite.