Caramel Custard Tarts

Have you ever tried Pasteis De Nata? Otherwise known as Portuguese tarts? Let's just say I am so soo sooo happy that these exist. It's sinfully delicious and worth the calories. Well...I think pretty much every food is worth the calories (sigh)...

Anyways, I wanted to experiment making these for a while now. Ever since my mom brought me some from her workplace (having friends at work = happy life!!)... I looked up some recipes online and there were all kinds of variations. I originally wanted to make the traditional Portuguese tarts. BUT, let's just say watching Netflix while cooking is not the best idea...it will be explained in the pictures later...the end result is, therefore, caramel custard tarts...

Start by coating the muffin pans with butter

You can make your own pastry dough...but I like the store brought one...Sprinkle some good ol' Cinnamon

Roll it up

Then slice it up...then wave your arms in the air...OK back to serious work...make sure its about the same size and not too long...you don't want the dough to be too thick

Then go get the bestEST person to do this job...I asked my mom to do this part...because a) I "don't know how to do it perfectly" b) I am lazy... 

*Watches mom in awe*

Add 1 cup of sugar to a pot/pan/cooking utensil...whatever you call it

Add 2 cups of milk to the sugAAA..THEN on the side (small red bowl) mix 1 tablespoon of flour with 3 tablespoons of milk...I believe this is to thicken the custard filing

Add one citrus peel and a dash of Cinnamon...GOD I love cinnamon!

Add the flour mixture from earlier to it and give the whole thing a good stiRRR...Cook this mixture over medium-low heat STIRRING CONSTANTLY (I FORGOT THIS PART)

While the custard filling is turning into deliciousness...separate 6 egg whites from yolk...Once the mix on the stove top has come to a boil...turn off the heat...then add egg yolks one at a time...ONE AT A TIME PEOPLE and stir stirr stirrr

So remember when I said I wanted to make PASTEIS DE NATA? I left the custard filling on the stove top and went back to watching my show on Netflix (damn you How To Get Away With Murder)...I completely forgot to follow the rule of "constantly stirring"...so the filling caramelized at the bottom...BUT the panic vigorous stir after adding the egg yolks at the end helped a little...IT DID NOT BURN (it CARAMELIZED!!) ^.^

Now generously add the custard filling to the pastry dough...I might not fill it up this much next time to avoid the mess during baking time

Right into the oven...350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown..use your judgement or in my case MY MOM'S JUDGEMENT...ahhh Thank God for Mothers right :D

This is what it looked like right out the oven...Now remember when Frank Barone from Everybody loves Raymond said "THE STOMACH DOES NOT KNOW UGLY"...Amen to that!

You know there will be more pictures...

Last One! BTW The Candle is from Bath and Body Works and is currently one of my favorites.

These were absolutely delicious and OH SO EASY TO MAKE! I ate about four to make sure they were delicious and my heart thanked me later for every single bite. OH and the best part: mom and co-workers approved. Let me know in the comment box if you have ever had or made Portuguese tarts :)

Keep Stirring, 

A. Ben