REAL FOOD: Torta Rustica

First entry for Cooking/Recipes !!!  

I have to get started on posting these things for my girls Liz & Jackie !!! ;)

love you guys !!!  ;)

Next time I make one, I'll take a picture to place here !!! ;)

In the meantime....make it !! You can trust Mamma !!! ;)

TORTA RUSTICA

Preheat oven to 450 before you start assembling the ingredients !!  

You can either make your pie crust, or go the store bought route....whichever you choose is fine...store bought is great !! ;)  Have done it a dozen times !

Place one pie crust, in 9in. pie plate....it will overhang, and that's ok !

Whisk one egg, and lightly brush ONLY the bottom... set aside

INGREDIENTS:

1 pkg. refrigerated pie crust (duuh...lol)

4 large eggs

1 lb. whole milk ricotta

1 cup Pepato or Asiago cheese grated

1/2 cup Parmesan grated

1 - 10oz, pkg frozen spinach ~ chopped, drained & squeezed

1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes - coarsely chopped (drained if from jar)

1 tsp. dried basil

1 lb. italian sausage ~ mild or hot, you choose !  If links, remove casing.  Break up and saute.

Since you used one egg to whisk for the 'washing', take the remaining 3 eggs, place in bowl along with ricotta, other cheeses, basil & cooled sausage meat.  Blend thoroughly.

Fold in the spinach, tomatoes & breadcrumbs.

Scrape mixture into readied pie crust.  Smooth top.

Place 2nd crust on top, and flute the edges to seal. 

Brush with remaining egg wash.

Bake Torta for 15 minutes.

Reduce temp to 375 and lay a piece of foil loosely over the pie - continue baking for 35-30 minutes or til golden in color.

VERY IMPORTANT:  allow to cool/rest for at least 15 minutes before you cut it !!

It needs this time to firm up, and quite truthfully it's better at room temp !! ;)

I hope you'll give this one a try...if you do, come back and post on how it came out !!!

Mangia !!  ~ Ciao, Mamma Gigi