Easter Pie
This savory Italian pastry is traditionally served on Easter Sunday, but it is delicious any time of year. If you want to drain the ricotta, place it in a sieve lined with cheesecloth for about an hour; discard the liquid before proceeding.
Recipe information
Yield
makes one 9-inch square pie
Ingredients
Easter Pie Dough
Preparation
Step 1
Line a 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on two sides. On a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, roll out one piece of dough to a 12-inch square, about 1/8 inch thick. With a dry pastry brush, sweep off excess flour; fit dough into the prepared pan, pressing into corners. Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork. Roll out the remaining dough in the same manner and, using a pastry wheel, cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Transfer dough strips (on parchment) to a baking sheet. Chill pie shell and dough strips until firm, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2
Line the chilled pie shell with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang; fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the edges just begin to turn golden,about 15 minutes; remove parchment and weights. Return to oven; continue baking until the edges turn light golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 3
In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat; add spinach, and cook until just wilted. Drain spinach on paper towels, then finely chop (for about 4 cups).
Step 4
In a medium bowl, combine spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, prosciutto, the whole egg, 1 egg yolk, salt, and nutmeg. Spread evenly into cooled pie shell. Weave dough strips on top to form a lattice. Using kitchen shears, trim dough flush with the top of the pan. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg yolk and the cream; brush egg wash over the lattice top and the edge of the pie shell.
Step 5
Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until crust is golden brown, about 45 minutes. (If edges or top of crust browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.) Cool slightly on a wire rack. Using parchment paper overhang, gently lift pie out of pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. The pie is best eaten the same day it is baked, but it can be kept, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Easter Pie Dough
Step 6
Put flour, cheese, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor; pulse several times to combine. Add butter and shortening; process until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about 10 seconds.With the machine running, pour the ice water through the feed tube in a slow, steady stream until the dough just holds together.
Step 7
Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough in half, and form each piece into a flattened square. Wrap each piece of dough in plastic, and chill at least 1 hour or overnight before using.
