Instructions: Prepare dough: Place flour in a food processor. Cut shortening and butter into 1/2-inch chunks and distribute over flour. Process with on-off bursts until fat particles are the size of peas. Add egg, ice water, and vanilla. Process until mixture just begins to form a ball. (Do not process completely to the ball stage, and dont worry if dough has shortening streaks in it.) Remove dough, shape into a patty 1-inch thick, and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.

Prepare filling: In a small pan, heat water and sugar until sugar dissolves; let cool. In a bowl, beat eggs slightly. Whisk in sugar-water syrup, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract, blending until smooth.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. On a lightly floured board, roll out pastry to about 1/4-inch thick. Cut into fourteen 4-inch circles (reroll scraps and cut again if necessary). Fit circles into 2 1/2-inch tart pans. Lightly press dough into bottoms and sides of pans; trim edges.

Pour filling into pastry-lined pans to within 1/4-inch of top. Place filled pans on a baking sheet; bake in preheated oven until a knife inserted in center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Place pans on rack; let cool for 10 minutes. Remove tarts from pans. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This recipe yields 14 tarts.

Comments: Ask any 7-year-old in Hong Kong what his or her favorite treat is, and you will get an earful: Egg Custard Tarts! These sweet tarts are great for a dim sum brunch, and they are perfect for a proper afternoon tea. And in the very unlikely event that you have any left over, they make a great after-dinner dessert, too.

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