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
- Preheat oven, rack in center, to 230°C (450°F).
- Butter the muffin tins.
- Roll out the puff pastry and cut out circles of pastry large enough to cover the bottom and edges of the muffin tins.
- Place the pastry in each buttered muffin tin. Prick the pastry with a fork.
- 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.
- Pour the mixture into the molds and bake for 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle with icing sugar. Serve warm or cold.
