Natas do Ceu
Recipe by Dragon
The Portuguese have very colourful names for their desserts.
For example this favourite dessert of mine is called Natas do Ceu
which translates to "Cream from Heaven". You know what? The name is perfect.
One bite of this delicious and simple combination of lemon, cinnamon & vanilla egg cream, mousse and
crumbled Maria cookies and you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. Enjoy!
Serves 6
Ingredients:
Egg Cream:
6 egg yolks, beaten
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 lemon rind
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 vanilla bean
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
Meringue:
6 egg whites
2 tablespoons sugar
Whipped Cream:
2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons sugar
1 package (roll) Maria cookies, crushed
Directions:
1. In a bowl, beat egg yolks until frothy. In a saucepan
over medium high heat, add milk, sugar, lemon rind and cinnamon stick. Using a
small sharp knife, split the vanilla bean lengthways, then scrape the seeds
from inside the bean with the back of the knife. Add the seeds and bean to the
pan.
2. Scald the milk then slowly add milk to the egg yolks,
whisking the eggs constantly. Return the milk/egg mixture to the saucepan and
reduce the heat to medium. Stir constantly until the egg/milk mixture thickens.
Remove lemon rind, cinnamon stick and vanilla bean from the saucepan. Pass egg
cream through a fine sieve into a bowl. Stir in butter until incorporated and let it cool.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites in a large
clean bowl until they form stiff peaks. Slowly add 2 tablespoons sugar and continue
to beat until the mixture (now meringue) is very thick and glossy.
4. In another large bowl, using an electric mixer, whip the
heavy cream and vanilla. Gradually add 3 tablespoons of sugar and whip until
you get very stiff peaks. Be careful not to over whip the cream or it will
become butter.
5. Fold the meringue into the whipped cream, a little at a
time and slowly so as to not deflate the mousse mixture. Chill this mousse until you’re ready to
assemble.
6. To assemble: In individual serving glasses or a large serving
bowl, add a layer of the crushed cookies, followed by a layer of mousse. Repeat
with another layer of cookies and mousse. Smooth the top layer of mousse with
the back of a spoon. Top the mousse with the egg cream. Chill for at least 4-5
hours before serving.
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