Pasteis de Nata (Macau)

World-Bites (45) / Pasteis de Nata

Pastéis de Nata (egg tarts), these are a Portuguese-style egg tart that actually originated from Coloane here in Macau. The delicious custard tart has become a featured snack of the city, just like the Roast Duck of Beijing. Margaret's Café & Nata and Lord Stow's Café, to be found on the Macau Peninsular and Taipa Island respectively are the two best places to buy these tarts. Tourists often buy some as gifts for friends and families.

Ingredients

* 1 cup milk
* 3 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1/2 vanilla bean
* 1 cup white sugar
* 6 egg yolks
* 1 (17.5 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.) Lightly grease 12 muffin cups and line bottom and sides with puff pastry.
2. In a saucepan, combine milk, cornstarch, sugar and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Place egg yolks in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk 1/2 cup of hot milk mixture into egg yolks. Gradually add egg yolk mixture back to remaining milk mixture, whisking constantly. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes, or until thickened. Remove vanilla bean.
3. Fill pastry-lined muffin cups with mixture and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is lightly browned on top