It is Easter this week as as every year I will be making the Easter Pies. Other wise known in Italian as "Pizzagaina". It is a traditional Easter dish made of a variety of meats, cheeses and egg. Some will make this with all of the meat chopped or diced in the pie. Just as delicious but we will be layering it here. When you cut it.... it is beautiful. You can check back for a homemade recipe for the pie crust or you can use a refrigerated pie crust. They work perfectly and then this pie can truly be prepared in 15 minutes. Today, I am working with Tracy so we will be doubling this recipe. That way we will both have two pies for Easter. Always fun to cook with friends!!
ITALIAN EASTER PIE - PIZZAGAINA
1 WHOLE FRESH MOZZARELLA SLICED THIN 1 1/2 LBS WHOLE MILK RICOTTA 12 EGGS 1/2 CUP OF GRATED CHEESE 1 LBS PROVOLONE CHEESE 1 LB HAM 1/2 LB PROSCUITTO 1/2 LB GENOA SALAMI 1/2 LB SOPPRESSATA 2 PREPARED PIE CRUSTS PEPPER ONLY
****THIS RECIPE MAKES TWO PIES****
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare four pie plates with cooking spray. Line each pie plate with one pie crust. You do not need to do anything special with the bottom other than make sure there is enough on the edge to roll into a crust.
Put all the eggs in a large bowl and whisk them up. Add the ricotta, grated cheese and pepper to the egg and mix until smooth and thick.
Now grab all of your ingredients and get ready for the assembly line.
Let's put together those pies. Start with a thin layer of the egg mixture. Then follow with a few slices of each meat....and finally the provolone and mozzarella.
Repeat the whole process again...egg, meat and cheeses. Then we will top it with the second pie crust.
Now bring the bottom crust over the top and roll up together as you work your way around the entire pie. Press the edges with a fork. Brush the entire top of the pie with a beaten egg. Make a cross in the top of the pie with a knife. Lastly, cover the edges of the pie plate with foil for the first half of baking so that the edges will not be too well done or burn.
Bake at 350 degrees for about and hour and a half or until it is a beautiful golden brown. Remove the foil half way through.
Is that the most beautiful pie you ever saw!!! And wait till you taste it. Thanks to Tracy for cooking with me today. Now we have one pie for our families and one pie for ???????? Enjoy!!!