We like to think of these gorgeous little pastries, served warm and coated with cinnamon or sugar, as Lisbon’s gift to the world. Indeed, they belong on any self-respecting food lover’s list of must-try. If, like us, you’ve been craving them since your last visit to Portugal, give this perfect recipe of Pastéis de Nata a go. We recommend using a high-quality puff pastry, such as Dufour, as the dessert’s base.
Yield: 24 pieces
Ingredients
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
7 egg yolks
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Directions
In a medium bowl, mix flour and sugar. Then, in a small bowl, add yolks and vanilla. In a saucepan, bring milk and lemon zest to a boil. Add several tablespoons of the milk to egg yolks and mix well. Gradually add the remaining milk, stirring constantly. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and mix until well combined.
Preheat oven to 300˚ F. Brush 2 (12-cup) mini muffin pans with melted butter. Using a 1-inch cookie cutter, cut out 24 pieces. Mold each piece into individual tins. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way with custard. Bake for 8-10 minutes and remove from oven. Immediately dust with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
Kitchen tool we adore: KitchenAid Stand Mixer
This is one of those gadgets we can’t imagine (kitchen) life without. We’ve gotten so spoiled by its convenience that we were traumatized after recently using a hand mixer to whip up a batch of cookies. Our favorite is the Professional, 6-quart 600 model that retails for about $400. Do yourself a favor and pick up the citrus juicer attachment for an extra $27 – you’ll be so happy you did.
Available at Crate and Barrel, Macy’s, Sears, and Bed, Bath & Beyond
