PASTEIS DE NATA

Recept za ovu originalnu portugalsku slasticu navodno su stoljećima čuvali redovnici jeronimskog samostana u lisabonskom Belemu. Kad je red raspušten, recept su darovali slastičaru u susjedstvu.
Danas svaka portugalska slastičarnica, kao i svaki portugalski dom ima svoj recept.

Tijesto se tradicionalno priprema dan ranije, nekoliko puta premijesi i ostavi da počine preko noći, ali zbog brzog ritma svakodnevice, ja ove kolačiće radim s kupovnim svježim lisnatim tijestom.

Sastojci:

Za 20-ak komada:
2 svježa lisnata tijesta (ne smrznuta!)
½ šalice glatkog brašna
1 ½ žličica soli
1 + 3/8 šalice mlijeka
2 šalice šećera
1 šalica + 1 ½ žlica vode

5 žutanjaka
1 cijelo jaje
1 žlica ekstrakta vanilije

Priprema:

Pećnicu zagrijte na 220 ºC.
Pomiješajte brašno i sol pa im polako dodajte 3/8 šalice hladnog mlijeka, miješajući da ne nastanu grudice.
Preostalo mlijeko stavite na vatru. Kad bude vruće (ne kipuće!), polako ga ulijte u brašno, miješajući ponovno da ne bude grudica.
Vratite na vatru i kuhajte 2 – 3 minute da se zgusne.
Šećer pomiješajte s vodom i stavite na vatru. Nek lagano vrije dok umak ne postane gust da polako silazi sa žlice, poput meda. (Vatra treba biti slaba da  šećer ne požuti!).
Sirup lagano ulijte u toplo kuhano brašno, miješajući, a zatim vratite na vatru i kuhajte još 2 minute na laganoj vatri.
Tijesto razvaljajte pa širokom čašom ili kalupom za krafne režite krugove. Njima napunite kalup za muffine, prstima potežući tijesto prema vrhu da oblikujete košarice.
Žutanjke i jaje umutite vilicom. Dodajte im, žlicu po žlicu, neprestano miješajući, toliko vrućeg kuhanog nadjeva da ih temperirate, a zatim ih umiješajte u preostalu smjesu (ona treba biti vruća da se žutanjci u njoj skuhaju).
Umiješajte vaniliju.
Svaku košaricu napunite do 2/3 pripremljenim nadjevom.
Pecite 15 – 20 minuta dok se po vrhu ne počne stvarati korica.
Izvadite i ohladite.
Kolačići najbolje prijaju mlaki ili na sobnoj temperaturi, posipani mješavinom šećera u prahu i cimeta.

PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TART

The recipe for this indigenous Portuguese treat was kept secret for centuries by Catholic monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in the parish of Belém, Lisbon. When the order was disbanded, they handed over the recipe to a nearby pastry shop.

Today, every Portuguese confectioner and every family has its own recipe. The tart is traditionally prepared a day ahead, kneaded several times and left to rest overnight, but today’s fast pace of living made me choose fresh puff pastry instead.

Ingredients:

For about 20 servings:
2 fresh puff pastries (not frozen!)
½ cup plain flour
1 ½ teaspoon salt
1 + 3/8 cups milk
2 cups sugar
1 cup water + 1 ½ tbsp water

5 egg yolks
1 whole egg
1 tbsp vanilla extract

 

Method:

Preheat the oven to 220 ºC.
Combine the flour and salt. Add 3/8 of a cup of cold milk gradually, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
Heat the remaining milk (do not bring to a boil!) and pour slowly into the flour mixture, mixing constantly lest it should crumble.
Return to heat and cook for 2-3 minutes, until thickened.
Combine the sugar and water, heat and let simmer until thick enough that it glides slowly off a spoon, like honey. (The heat should be low, otherwise the sugar might turn brown!).
Pour the syrup slowly into the warm flour mixture, stirring constantly. Cook for another 2 minutes over low heat.
Roll out the pastry and cut out circles using a large glass or a doughnut cutter. Place into a muffin tin, forming “baskets” by pulling the pastry upwards with your fingertips.
Beat the egg yolks and the whole egg with a fork. Add just enough of the hot filling, one spoon at a time and stirring constantly, to adjust the temperature. Now pour the eggs into the mixture (it should be hot so that the eggs get cooked in it). Stir in the vanilla.
Fill the cups up to 2/3 full.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a nice crust has formed on top.
Remove from the oven and leave to cool.
The tarts taste best when lukewarm or at room temperature, sprinkled with icing sugar and cinnamon.