I’ve always wanted to travel to Portugal and this feature is channeling that dream with the perfect nod to Mary Ann paired with a Pastel De Nata recipe, also known as Portuguese Custard Tarts. Check out the recipe below!

Mary Ann, a singer-songwriter from Porto, Portugal, began her journey into music at a very young age. Influenced by her older brother, a guitarist nine years her senior, who sparked her interest in music. Inspired by his constant connection to music, Mary Ann began her musical journey at home. As she got older, she initially studied marketing in college, however, she soon realized that her true passion was music. Determined to follow her dreams, she enrolled in the Conservatory of Porto, where she earned a singing and voice technique degree and studied some musical theatre. After graduation, she began teaching and continued until the 2020 Pandemic, when she decided to quit teaching to have more free time to pursue her music.

In 2023, she embarked on her solo music project, which has been a lifelong dream. Although she’s been part of various bands, including a metal band for two years, she has finally launched her solo career. The response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive for Mary Ann’s music with global awards affirming her decision to pursue this path. In 2023 Mary Ann won the 2023 Hollywood Independent Music Awards in the alternative category; ”Best Original Song” at the Munich Music Video Awards; ”Best Lyrics” at the Rome Music Video Awards; ”Best Music Video” at the New York International Film Awards; and ”Best Music Video” and “Best Lyrics” at The International Music Video Awards. Today, Mary Ann continues her journey as a passionate singer-songwriter from Portugal. She also runs an event company specializing in live music and entertainment, focusing on weddings, corporate events, and cover performances. Mary Ann’s music is characterized by her powerful and soulful voice, blending elements of pop, rock, and alternative rock to her style. She draws inspiration from artists like Florence and the Machine as well as Amy Winehouse, whose vocal strength reflects her classic influences, including jazz and R&B greats like Ella Fitzgerald.

Mary Ann’s latest single “Welcome” resonates with listeners through its message about maintaining individuality in the face of societal pressures and the digital age. The lyrics, “Yeah, I dare the world to be fair…..Yes, I care…Because I believe in me,” capture the song’s empowering theme to stay true to one’s authentic self amid the constant need to seek validation. Check out the video below which shows a striking representation of this message that captures Mary Ann’s powerful vocals with a strong message to fans.

So what’s next for Mary Ann? She’s currently focused on releasing more singles, each one a testament to her dedication to authenticity and her connection to her fans. She loves performing live, where she can share her energy and powerful voice with the audience, always delivering an inspiring message. With more music on the way, Mary Ann is a rising force in the international music scene, staying true to the integrity of her craft, her roots, and her vision. Can’t wait to hear more music from Mary Ann and be sure to follow her on Instagram.

Follow Mary Ann Music on Instagram

When it comes to food, Mary Ann loves to keep her diet healthy, often opting for salads with chicken and other nutritious options. However, being from Portugal, she has a soft spot for pastel de nata, the classic Portuguese custard tart that’s rich and sweet often enjoyed with a sprinkle of cinnamon or powdered sugar. And of course, if you’re having pastel de nata, its best paired with a cup of strong Portuguese coffee. For savory dishes, she’s a fan of Francesinha, a Portuguese comfort food that’s basically croque-monsieur adapted to Portuguese tastes including sausages, meats, and a special sauce. Despite being high in calories, it’s a beloved traditional dish usually served with French fries. While she focuses on healthy eating daily, these traditional Portuguese treats are among her favorites.

For this feature, I decided to give a proper nod to Mary Ann’s music and tastes with pastel de nata. This traditional Portuguese pastry is known for its rich, creamy custard filling and crisp, flaky pastry crust. The custard is made from egg yolks, sugar, milk, a splash of vanilla, and lemon zest that gives it a smooth, silky texture and a slightly sweet, aromatic flavor. This iconic treat is typically enjoyed warm, straight from the oven, and is a delightful combination of textures and flavors making it a favorite not only in Portugal but around the world. Check out the recipe below!

Pastel De Nata Recipe (Portuguese Custard Tarts)

Ingredients

1 package of puff pastry dough (2 sheets), thawed
1/2 cup flour (for working surface)
1/2 butter, softened (I used cultured butter for more flavor)
1/2 cup pure cane sugar
1/4 cup and 1 tablespoon water
2 cinnamon sticks
4 strips of lemon rind
6 egg yolks
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
1 cup milk (yes this is an extra cup for a separate part of the recipe)
1 teaspoon Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions

Sprinkle a generous amount of flour on your working surface and roll out your dough to form a 16 x 16 square with about ¼ inch thickness.
Spread the softened butter and smooth it over the surface of the dough. Be sure to cover all the surface of the dough but you can leave the edges not buttered to make it easier to roll.
Roll up the dough tightly using the longest side.
Wrap the prepared pastry dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least three hours to overnight. It will make it easier to work with the dough later.
Whisk together the 1/3 cup of flour with 1/2 cup of milk in a small mixing bowl. Whisk until completely combined and smooth.
Bring the water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and lemon rinds to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Set aside to cool down.
In another small pot, bring the 1 cup of milk to a gentle boil and immediately remove from heat.
Then on medium-low heat with the same small pan, add to the flour and milk mixture previously made to the boiled milk and whisk until thickens.
Remove the milk and flour mixture from heat and whisk for 1 minute. Then set aside to cool for 5 minutes in the pan.
Add the eggs to the cooled milk and flour mixture and quickly whisk.
Strain the sugar syrup to remove the cinnamon sticks and lemon rinds into a medium mixing bowl.
Add the egg mixture to the strained syrup and whisk until smooth and thoroughly mixed.
Preheat the oven to 500°F.
Wipe a muffin baking pan with the remaining softened butter to prevent sticking.
Cut the chilled pastry into circles that fit your muffin pan.
Gently press the pastry circles into the muffin pan, forming small pastry cups.
Pour the custard filling into each of the pastry cups in a muffin pan. Fill them to be about 3/4 full. Do not fill the pastry cups.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the pastry cups are golden brown.
Cool the pastries in the muffin tin for a few minutes and then carefully move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Dust the pastries with powdered sugar and serve. Enjoy!