Portuguese Custard Tarts - Pasteis De Nata

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.) Lightly grease 12 muffin cups and line bottom and sides with puff pastry.

In a saucepan, combine milk, cornstarch, sugar and vanilla.

Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.

Place egg yolks in a medium bowl.

Slowly whisk 1/2 cup of hot milk mixture into egg yolks.

Gradually add egg yolk mixture back to remaining milk mixture, whisking constantly.

Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes, or until thickened.

Remove vanilla bean.

Fill pastry-lined muffin cups with mixture and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is lightly browned on top