maria's portugese tarts

For the second year running we have enjoyed Maria's gorgeous Portugese Tarts over at Dot's tree-trimming so this year, armed with my iPhone and Evernote, I sat with her as she walked me through the process.

Now to find time to give them a go!

Maria makes the custard mix and then leaves it covered in the fridge for up to a week, cooking the tarts in batches as needed...

In a saucepan dissolve 500g of caster sugar and half a litre of water. Simmer 10 minutes.

While the sugar syrup is simmering, whisk 10 egg yolks and 2 whole eggs.

Remove enough milk from one litre to mix 100g of cornflour to a paste.

Mix the remaining milk with the beaten eggs, and then add the cornflour mix.

Pour the sugar syrup onto the eggs/milk, mix and then pour back into the saucepan.

Cook the custard as usual and refrigerate until needed.

To make the tarts, cut a sheet of puff pastry into rounds using a glass or cutter and line a muffin tin tray so the pastry extends up the sides.

Bake in a moderate over until quite dark and caramelised.

CC FlickR image by xmascarol