Sicily Torta Rustica

Laurawombat Garcia's Note:

This is a rich Italian layered Pie of meats, cheeses and eggs. I think I got it from a site about Sicilian food.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion , chopped
• 4 garlic cloves , chopped
• ½ lb Italian turkey sausage link , sliced
• 1 (32 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
• 3 eggs , beaten
• ½ lb sliced provolone cheese , cut into strips
• ¼ lb prosciutto , diced
• 1⁄3; cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (2 count) package refrigerated ready-to-use pie crusts
• 1 egg yolk , beaten

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 10-inch springform pan with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.
2. Heat oil in medium-size nonstick skillet over medium heat.
3. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 5 minutes. Add sausage slices; sauté until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove skillet from the heat.
4. Combine ricotta cheese, eggs, provolone, prosciutto, Parmesan, salt and pepper in large bowl. Stir in the sausage mixture.
5. Roll out both pie crusts on lightly floured surface with lightly floured rolling pin to two 14-inch rounds. Place one round in bottom of prepared pan. With fingers, lightly press crust into bottom and up sides of pan, without stretching dough.
6. Spoon cheese mixture into pastry-lined pan. Place second crust on top of cheese; trim edges of pastry even with rim of pan. Brush pastry with beaten egg yolk.
7. Bake on the bottom oven rack in 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. (If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover with a sheet of aluminum foil).
8. Turn oven off; let the pie continue to cook in the oven for another 15 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Reviews

[Cooks4_6]

This was outstanding, and I even messed it up. I purchased a small container of ricotta, and only had two eggs in the house when I made it...so I went with that and added 1/4 lb of goat cheese I had in the refrigerator as well. I served it with warmed spaghetti sauce and it was fabulous!