LISBON, PORTUGALCOFFEE ACCOMPANIMENT – PASTEIS DE BELEM

If there was an official pastry of Portugal, this would be it. The Pastel de Belem, also called Pastel de Nata, is named for the section of Lisbon in which it was first said to be baked: Belem. It is comprised of a flaky crust filled with egg custard, served hot, the top scorched so that it’s just a little crunchy. Sprinkled with a little cinnamon or sugar, the perfect final touch, and best eaten warm, right out of the oven. It is sweet, creamy, and indulgent; found at nearly every cafe — Cafe Martinho da Arcada considers them a house specialty — it pairs perfectly with um bica.