Gourmet Natas (Pasteis de nata)

GOURMET NATAS (Pasteis de nata)

Natas are deliciously light and crisp Portuguese pastries, also known as pastéis de nata. The result is a pastry with a crisp crust and a creamy, vanilla-scented filling. These little sweets are very popular in Portugal, and are appreciated the world over for their delicate flavor and deliciously contrasting texture.

Portions : 16 - Preparation : 10 minutes - Cooking : 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 commercial butter puff pastry
• 250 ml (1 cup) 35% cream
• 4 egg yolks
• 10 ml (2 teaspoons) cornstarch
• 80 ml (5 tbsp.) sugar
• 1/2 lemon, zest
• 3 ml (1/2 tsp.) bitter almond extract
• 3 ml (1/2 tsp.) ground cinnamon, to taste
• 1 pinch salt

DIRECTION

1. Preheat oven, rack in center, to 230°C (450°F).
2. Butter the muffin tins.
3. Roll out the puff pastry and cut out circles of pastry large enough to cover the bottom and edges of the muffin tins.
4. Place the pastry in each buttered muffin tin. Prick the pastry with a fork.
5. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the cornstarch, lemon zest, bitter almond extract, vanilla, cinnamon and pinch of salt. Whisk in the cream.
6. Pour the mixture into the molds and bake for 15 minutes.
7. Sprinkle with icing sugar. Serve warm or cold.