When people ask me for recommendations in Lisbon, I tell them to climb the São Jorge Castle, take a daytrip to Sintra, bar hop in the Barrio Alto neighborhood, try the ginjinha and eat at least one of the city’s trademark pastel de nata.  The latter is a custard tart that is found throughout Portugal, but its origins can be traced to Lisbon’s Belém district just west of the city center.

Legend has is that in the 18^th century local monasteries and convents used mass quantities of egg whites for starching clothes and so as not to be wasteful, used the leftover yolks to make cakes and pastries.  Visitors to Lisbon today often flock to Pastéis de Belém (conveniently located steps from the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém), which claims to be the birthplace of the pastel de nata.

Their recipe is a closely guarded secret, rumored to be divulged to only 3 pastry chefs at a time, so I was surprised to learn how easy it is to make a decent interpretation of these tarts on my own – no travel to Portugal or waiting in long lines for the coveted pastries required.  They’re perfect for springtime gatherings or even weekend coffee at home, and are best enjoyed warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or cinnamon or both.

Pastel de Nata
Makes 24 small tarts

1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 large egg yolks
Flour for dusting
Powdered sugar and cinnamon for serving (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease two 12-compartment mini muffin pans.
2. Lay puff pastry sheet on a floured surface and roll as thin as possible. Cut into a total of 24 equal circles, roughly 2 ½ inches in diameter.  Alternately you can make 12 larger tarts using one standard muffin pan.  (Note: I’m baking at a high altitude so found that both the pastry dough and custard filling expanded while in the oven, and rolling the dough thinner helped with this.)
3. Places dough circles in muffin cups, pressing into bottom and sides of the pan and set aside.
4. In a small saucepan combine milk, cornstarch, sugar and vanilla over medium heat, whisking constantly until mixture thickens.
5. Remove from heat and gradually whisk half of hot milk mixture into egg yolks in a separate bowl. Add this mixture back into remaining milk mixture in saucepan, whisking constantly.
6. Cook mixture until thickened, about 5 minutes, continuing to stir.
7. Pour mixture into dough-lined cups and bake for 16-20 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and filling is lightly browned on top.  (Note: You can also switch to broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the tops.)
8. Cool slightly before removing and dust with powdered sugar and cinnamon before serving if desired.

Recipe from Viking River Cruises.