We are staying at the Altis Alvenida 5* hotel ideally situated in the historic district of Lisbon. A few doors away is a wonderful custard tart bakery.
Here you can watch the Pastel de Nata being made, buy them and yum they are one of the most delicious foods I have ever tasted. Salted puff pastry with a fresh dripping custard, topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon!
How did these develop? At the end of the 17th century convent and monasteries in Portugal produced these with the remains of the egg. The whites had been used in washing clothes and the wine production process.
After the Liberal Revolution of 1820. the recipe came out of the convents. Now we can taste the delicious tarts sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar fresh out of the oven.
The custard tarts cost one euro each but the bakery recommends a glass of port to accompany, total cost 2.25 euros. I will have to try this combination before I leave Lisbon.
There is a seating area in this bakery, Just take a look at the floor.
This is going to be my inspiration for one of the patchwork projects for the Madeiran Quilting Retreat. Would you like to join me next February?
And the wall is stunning. I love all the blue and white. No doubt we will see more of these stunning designs as we take a tour around the city this morning.
