Portuguese Custard Tarts

Preheat the oven to 200º / 400ºF / Gas 6. Roll out the pastry and cut out twelve 13cm / 5in rounds. Line a 12-hole muffin tin (pan) with the pastry rounds. Line each pastry round with a circle of baking paper and some baking beans or uncooked rice.

Bake the tarts for 10-15 minutes, or until the pastry is cooked through and golden. Remove the paper and baking beans or rice and set aside to cool.

Spoon the custard into the pastry cases and dust with the icing sugar. place the tarts under a preheated hot grill (broiler) and cook until the sugar caramelizes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool before serving.