• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Listen to the Latest Podcast EpisodeThe Science of Skincare
Food Heaven Made Easy

Food Heaven Made Easy

Black Registered Dietitian Nutritionists | Intuitive Eating Dietitians

  • About
  • Press
    • Start Here
    • Podcast
      • Hookup Codes
    • Work With Us
      • Brand Partners
      • Meal Prep Challenge
    • Resources
      • Recipes
      • Blog
      • Cookbook
      • Books We Love
    JOIN OUR EXCLUSIVE EMAIL LIST!
    SUBSCRIBE FOR OUR FREE 3-STEP AUDIO COURSE TO ACHIEVE FOOD FREEDOM

    Date + Guava Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Main Courses

    Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Sunsweet, but all opinions are our own.

    Often times, dates are used in desserts, because of their natural sweetness and sticky texture.

    But few realize dates also deserve a place at the savory table. And that’s the thing with dates- they’re incredibly flexible in the kitchen, and can be used in so many creative ways.

    In this Date + Guava Butter Grilled Cheese sandwich, you can treat your tastebuds to a delightfully unexpected fusion of sweet and savory. How many of you have cooked with dates? These delightful dried fruits provide a natural sweetness while also being a good source of fiber, at 3 grams per serving. Many studies suggest that fiber plays an important role in digestion — and helps keep you (*ahem*) regular. 

    In addition to dates, we chose to highlight guava in this grilled cheese sandwich recipe. If you aren’t familiar with guava fruit, let us introduce you. Native to Mexico and Central/South America, guavas are members of the myrtle and eucalyptus family. They are traditionally grown in tropical climates on small trees with a smooth, copper-colored bark. Round or oval in shape, the guava fruit comes in a variety of colors (think pink, yellow and dark red). The fruit itself is sweet, and can be enjoyed as a snack or incorporated into a dish, like we did here. Guavas are a good source of important vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, copper and manganese.

    The skins and seeds are edible, and the fruit is used to make pastries, desserts, spreads, and more! We’ll be complementing the flavors of guava with dates, to make a delicious butter for the grilled cheese. We’ll be leaving the seeds in this recipe for additional fiber (plus, it adds a nice, crunchy texture to the spread!)

    Now for the recipe! Ready to get started? The first thing you want to do is get your ingredients in order. For the actual grilled cheese sandwich, you’ll need olive oil, a small red onion, balsamic vinegar, 2 slices of bread (preferably whole grain),  and 1 slice of white cheddar cheese. For the yummy date spread, you’ll need 4 pitted Sunsweet dates, 4 small-medium sized guavas, ground cinnamon, and chia seeds.

    Let’s start by making the spread. The first step is to soak the dates in water for about 1 hour so they are extra soft, and blend easily. Then you’ll want to slice each guava in half, and scoop out all of the gooey flesh and seeds from within. Transfer the guava flesh + seeds into a food processor. Then add the dates, cinnamon and chia seeds. Pulse that baby until you reach a smooth consistency. Add a bit of water, as needed, to get a smooth blend. Set aside.

    To make the actual sandwich, heat the olive oil in a small pan, and add the sliced onion. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, and then add in the balsamic vinegar. Top the pan with a lid and allow the onion to cook for another couple of minutes. Set aside. Top one slice of bread with the date-guava paste, 1 slice of cheese, and the cooked onions. Top with another slice of bread, and cook in a grill press for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese melts, and the bread has browned. For those of you who don’t have a grill press (we got you), you can also cook this on the skillet over low-medium heat for 2-4 minutes on each side, or until cheese melts and the bread has browned.

    Store the remaining spread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week…enjoy with toast, yogurt, or oatmeal!

    And there you have it. This sandwich is perfect for a savory brunch with friends and family. We recommend serving this with a side salad or cooked vegetables. An easy and delicious dish that is perfect for any time of day. What about you..have you tried dates in any savory dishes? Did you like? Drop us a line below and let us know how you like to use dates in the kitch.

    Talk soon! xo

    Print
    Date + Guava Grilled Cheese Sandwich
    Servings: 1
    Ingredients
    For the date + guava spread
    • 4 pitted dates, soaked in water for 1 hour
    • 4 small-medium sized guavas
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon chia seeds
    For the grilled cheese
    • 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
    • 1/4 small red onion, sliced
    • 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
    • 2 slices of bread
    • 1 slice of white cheddar cheese
    Instructions
    For the spread
    1. Slice each guava in half, and scoop out all of the flesh + seeds from within
    2. Add the flesh + seeds to a food processor, along with the rest of the ingredients for the spread
    3. Process until you reach a smooth consistency. Add a bit of water, as needed, to get a smooth blend.
    For the grilled cheese sandwich
    1. Heat the olive oil in a small pan, and add the onion. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, and then add the balsamic vinegar. Put the lid on, and allow to cook for another couple of minutes. Set aside
    2. Layer 1 slice of bread with the date guava paste, 1 slice of cheese, and the cooked onions
    3. Top with another slice of bread, and cook in a grill press for 3-4 minutes or until cheese melts, and the bread has browned
    4. If you don't have a press, you can also cook on the skillet over low-medium heat for 2-4 minutes on each side, or until cheese melts and the bread has browned
    Recipe Notes

    1 serving of the date guava spread is the equivalent of 1 tablespoon
    Store the remaining spread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week...enjoy with toast, yogurt, or oatmeal!

    0 Comments

    You Might Also Like

    Slow-Cooker Kale & White Bean Stew
    Black Bean & Mushroom Enchilada Casserole
    Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
    Plant-Based Monday: Parsnips
    Sports Nutrition with Nancy Clark

    Share the Love

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Let’s Connect

    Meet Wendy & Jess

    Registered Dietitians & BFF's. We're probably busy eating right now.

    Subscribe to our Podcast

    food heaven podcast

    Podcast Hookup Codes

    food heaven podcast hookup codes

    Meet Wendy & Jess

    Registered Dietitians & BFF's. We're probably busy eating right now.

    Footer

    • Our Story
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • Articles
    • Newsletter
    • Contact
    • Policies
    © Food Heaven Made Easy
    In order to provide you with the best service, our website uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy I consent
    Privacy Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    wendy and jess of food heaven

    Break FreeFrom Chronic Dieting

    Get our free 3-step mini audio guide to achieving food freedom….even if you’ve tried every diet in the book