Within the realm of Portuguese pastries, Queijadas de Sintra stand as a testament to the country's rich culinary heritage. These delectable cheese tarts, hailing from the enchanting town of Sintra, have captivated taste buds for centuries with their unique blend of creamy cheese filling, flaky pastry, and a hint of cinnamon. As we embark on a culinary journey to discover the best recipe for Queijadas de Sintra, let us delve into the essence of this timeless treat and uncover the secrets that make it a beloved delicacy.
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PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS (PASTEIS DE NATA)
This slightly streamlined recipe for the world-famous pasteis de nata, or Portuguese custard tarts, uses just few basic ingredients but requires numerous steps and a certain amount of finesse. The results are so worth it, though, you'll want to make a double batch. The extra moisture inside the sticky dough, activated by a very hot oven, creates the signature flaky, buttery, crispy crust, which encases a custard subtly scented with lemon, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Portuguese
Time 4h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Combine flour, salt, and cold water in a bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon until dough just comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Dough should be sticky; adjust with more flour or water to achieve what's shown in the video.
- Transfer dough onto a well floured surface. Dust a little more flour over the top. Knead for a minute or two to form a round. Cover and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Roll dough into a square about 1/8 inch thick, dusting with flour as necessary; dough should still be sticky.
- Spread 1/3 of the butter over 2/3 of the square using a silicone spatula, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Flip the unbuttered side over the middle of the square and fold the opposite end over it like a letter. Straighten the edges as needed.
- Turn dough with a bench scraper to unstick it from the counter; dust with flour. Flip and sprinkle more flour on top. Roll dough into a 1/8-inch-thick rectangle, carefully stretching edges as needed. Spread another 1/3 of the butter over 2/3 of the dough. Fold into thirds. Transfer onto a lined baking sheet and freeze until butter is slightly chilled, about 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle dough with flour and roll into a square a little over 1/8 inch thick. Spread remaining butter over the dough, leaving a 1- to 1 1/2-inch border on the top edge. Dip your finger in water and lightly moisten the unbuttered edge. Roll dough into a log starting from the bottom edge. Dust with more flour and polish the ends as needed. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Combine sugar, 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water, cinnamon, and lemon zest in a pot. Boil over medium heat, without stirring, until syrup reaches 210 to 215 degrees F (100 degrees C). Remove from heat.
- Preheat oven 550 degrees F (288 degrees C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Whisk flour, salt, and cold milk together very thoroughly in a cold pot. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until milk thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for at least 10 minutes.
- Whisk egg yolks into the cooled milk. Add the sugar syrup and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. Strain custard into a glass measuring cup.
- Unwrap the dough and trim any uneven bits on the ends. Score log into 12 even pieces using a knife; cut through.
- Place a piece of dough in each muffin cup. Dip your thumb lightly in some cold water. Press thumb into the center of the swirl; push dough against the bottom and up the sides of the cup until it reaches least 1/8 inch past the top. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way with custard.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is browned and bubbly, and the tops start to blister and caramelize, about 12 minutes. Cool tarts briefly and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 210.2 calories, Carbohydrate 25.2 g, Cholesterol 125.2 mg, Fat 10.6 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 3.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 98.3 mg, Sugar 14.1 g
QUEIJADAS
Super easy to make, and these won't last long. Try substituting almond or lemon extract for the vanilla. Or top them with flaked coconut or fresh fruit before baking!
Provided by Scotty Carreiro
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Portuguese
Time 55m
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- In a blender, combine eggs, sugar and butter. Blend until smooth. Pour in flour and milk, a little at a time, blending until smooth again. Stir in vanilla.
- Pour into muffin tins, filling 3/4 full. Bake in preheated oven 45 minutes, until golden brown. Serve hot or cold.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 147.7 calories, Carbohydrate 27.5 g, Cholesterol 38.3 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 36.5 mg, Sugar 23.6 g
QUEIJADAS DE SINTRA (PORTUGUESE CHEESE TARTS WITH CINNAMON)
Portuguese towns and cities alike are incredibly proud of their traditional sweets and pastries. Sintra, a beautiful hill town not far outside of Lisbon, is understandably proud of this recipe. It is believed that this recipe dates from the 14th Century! The actual recipe is, understandably, a close-guarded ages old secret, but this is a close approximation that I found on the internet. I visited Sintra a few years ago and was amazed at how wonderful these tarts tasted! These keep longer than most pastries if stored in an airtight container. (I'm not too sure of the yield - what I have provided is an approximation).
Provided by Shannon Cooks
Categories Tarts
Time 4h20m
Yield 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- For the pastry: Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl.
- With a pastry blender, cut in the shortening until the texture of fine meal.
- Forking briskly, drizzle just enough ice water over the mixture to make it hold together.
- Shape into a ball, wrap in wax paper, and refrigerate several hours.
- Meanwhile, prepare the filling: In a food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade (or in a blender or electric mixer set at highest speed), process the mozzarella, butter, sugar, and cinnamon about 60 seconds nonstop until smooth and creamy.
- Scrape down the work bowl sides with a rubber spatula and beat 60 seconds longer.
- Note: It will take longer for the electric mixer to reduce the mixture to creaminess, perhaps 3 to 4 minutes of steady beating.
- Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add the flour and pulse the motor on once or twice to blend.
- Transfer the mixture to a small bowl; cover and chill several hours.
- When ready to bake the queijadas, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Divide the pastry in half and roll, first one half, then the other, as thin as paper, on a lightly floured pastry cloth with a lightly floured, stockinette-covered rolling pin.
- Cut into rounds with a 3 1/2 inch cutter.
- Also re-roll and cut the scraps.
- Fit the pastry into plain or fluted tart tins measuring 2 1/2 inches across the top.
- Set the tins on baking sheets, then half-fill each tart shell with the cheese mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 18 to 20 minutes, just until the filling is puffy and a rich amber brown.
- Remove the tarts from the oven, cool until easy to handle; then using a small pointed knife, gently pry the tarts from the tins.
- Serve at room temperature.
QUEIJADAS DE EVORA -SWEET ORANGE CHEESE TART
Sweet Portuguese Orange Cheese Tart - Posted for ZWT 5. I found this recipe and modified it my tastes.
Provided by Jamilahs_Kitchen
Categories Dessert
Time 40m
Yield 1 Large Tart, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- PASTRY:
- Preheat the oven to 400°.
- Sift the flour, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt into a large, chilled mixing bowl, and add the chilled butter
- With your fingertips rub the flour and fat together until they look like flakes of coarse meal. (Or use the food processor).
- Add the lightly beaten egg and toss together until the dough can be gathered into a compact ball. Wrap in wax paper and chill the dough for at least an hour before using.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a circle about 1/8 inch thick. Press into nonstick greased Large Pie Tart Dish.
- FILLING:
- Reduce the oven heat to 350°. With an electric mixer or food processor, beat the cream cheese, pot cheese and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then beat in the egg yolks,orange juice,zest, cinnamon and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Spoon the cheese mixture into the tart
- Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes, or until the filling is set and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the tart to room temperature, then carefully slip out of the tin and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 309.7, Fat 14.3, SaturatedFat 8.4, Cholesterol 109.5, Sodium 288, Carbohydrate 38.5, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 22.7, Protein 7.5
Tips:
- Use high-quality cream cheese for a richer flavor and texture.
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing it with the other ingredients, this will help to ensure a smooth batter.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough tart.
- Bake the tarts until they are just set, as overbaking can dry them out.
- Allow the tarts to cool completely before serving, this will help them to set and firm up.
- Serve the tarts at room temperature or chilled, both are delicious.
Conclusion:
Queijadas de Sintra are a delicious and easy-to-make Portuguese pastry that is perfect for any occasion. With their creamy, custard-like filling and flaky crust, these tarts are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a special treat, give these tarts a try, you won't be disappointed!
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