Pastéis de nat: The wonderful Portuguese custard tart
Pastéis de nata come from Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, west of Lisbonin the 17th Century, and catholic monks had a glut of egg yolks as they used the whites to stiffen their clothes and clarify wine. So of course like any self respecting monk they came up with an outrageously indulgent pastry. After the liberal revolution of Portugal in 1820 the clerics commisioned the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém a bakers to continue making these beauties. Queues form around the block of customers waiting patiently to purchase some of these pastries while still just warm and dusted with cinnamon and icing sugar, and they are simply irresistible. Why not have a go at making pastéis de nata and make a cup of coffee into a moment to cherish?
