In the heart of Sintra, Portugal, lies a culinary treasure that has captivated taste buds for centuries: Queijadas de Sintra. These delicate pastries, also known as Portuguese cheese tarts, are a testament to the country's rich culinary heritage. With a history dating back to the 18th century, Queijadas de Sintra have become synonymous with the town of Sintra, where they are meticulously crafted by local artisans.
These delightful pastries feature a crisp, flaky crust that encases a creamy, velvety filling made from a unique blend of fresh cheese, sugar, eggs, and a hint of cinnamon. The filling strikes a perfect balance between sweetness and tanginess, while the cinnamon adds a touch of warmth and depth of flavor.
This article presents a collection of authentic Queijadas de Sintra recipes, each offering a slightly different take on this classic Portuguese pastry. From traditional recipes passed down through generations to modern interpretations with a twist, there's a recipe here to suit every palate.
Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this article provides step-by-step instructions, detailed ingredient lists, and helpful tips to ensure your Queijadas de Sintra turn out perfectly.
So, embark on a culinary journey to the charming town of Sintra and discover the secrets behind these delectable pastries. Indulge in the rich flavors of Queijadas de Sintra and experience a taste of Portugal's culinary excellence.
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
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
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use full-fat cream cheese.
- If you don't have a tart pan, you can use a regular muffin tin. Just fill the cups about 2/3 full.
- To make sure the tarts are cooked through, insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, they're done.
- Let the tarts cool completely before serving. This will help them set and hold their shape.
- Dust the tarts with cinnamon sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.
Conclusion:
Queijadas de Sintra are a delicious and easy-to-make Portuguese pastry. With their creamy, cheesy filling and crispy crust, they're sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. Whether you're looking for a special treat for a party or just a sweet snack to enjoy at home, these tarts are the perfect choice. So next time you're in the mood for something sweet, give Queijadas de Sintra a try. You won't be disappointed!
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