#pasteis-de-nata

#pasteis-de-nata

The use of egg whites to starch religious garments in the early eighteenth century was the catalyst for what is now one of Portugal's most famous dishes. That practice led to a surplus of egg yolks, and to avoid waste, monks and nuns invented rich, egg-yolk-based desserts and pastries. The famous custard tart baked in a crispy pastry shell was created at the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, Lisbon, and the pasteis de nata were initially sold to help support the monastery.

There are restaurants aplenty, from Michelin-starred to food market stalls. Every price point is catered for, and it can be overwhelming to decide where to spend your precious eating opportunities and hard-earned euros. I usually spend much of my travel prep researching just this, which puts a weight of expectation on my shoulders. On a recent trip, I was hosted by Visit Lisbon, and all decisions were made for me. What a joy, especially since every meal I ate was memorable in its own way.