Italian Grain Pie

Makes 8 Servings

 

Filling:

½ cup Wheat berries

5 Large eggs

½ cup Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

1½ lbs Ricotta

1 Large egg white

1 tsp grated orange zest or orange flower water

Crust:

1 cup Flour

¼ cup Sugar

½ tsp Baking powder

Pinch Finely ground sea salt

1/8 lb Unsalted European style butter, sliced into 1 Tbsp pieces

1 tsp Vanilla

1 Large egg

1 egg white

Confectioners’ sugar

 

1. Place the wheat berries in a bowl; add cold water to cover two inches above berries; soak overnight.
2. Drain and rinse wheat berries. Place in saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat; turn heat to medium, cover, and cook until chewy-tender, about 1 hour, 10 minutes. Drain and allow to cool.
3. Prepare pie crust while wheat berries are cooking. Mix together dry ingredients. Place dry ingredients and butter in food processor. Pulse until mixture has a coarse texture.
4. Add vanilla and whole egg; pulse until the dough comes off side of the bowl and forms a ball.
5. Form two discs, one using 2/3 of the dough and the second 1/3 of the dough. Each should be about 3 inches in diameter. Cover in plastic and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
6. Let dough soften for a few minutes before rolling out. Roll out both crusts between sheets or plastic or parchment into a circle a few inches larger than base of the pan. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Fit the thicker crust in bottom of 8” round or pie pan. Place in freezer while preparing top crust. Roll out second crust and cut into 6-8 strips for making lattice top. Refrigerate while making filling.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Mix in ricotta cheese, blending thoroughly. Do not over mix.
8. Add drained wheat berries and mix until incorporated. Pour into prepared pie crust. Use pastry strips to weave decorative lattice top. Brush top with egg white.
9. Bake for 1 hour. If pie is not set, lower heat to 325°F degrees and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Pie will giggle slightly in the center, but outer edges of top should be set. The pie will continue to set as it cools.
10. Cool on a wire rack, then refrigerate overnight. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

 

Note:  The crust can be rather sticky, so make sure that it is well chilled before cutting the lattice. Do not hesitate to put it back in the refrigerator to make it easier to work with. The cake will keep, refrigerated, for up to a week.

 

This traditional Sicilian dessert, typically served around Easter time, is a recipe from one of my Mom’s friends, Nanette. Our inn guests often see this on the breakfast table in the Spring.

Tuscan Bean Soup

Makes 8 as a Starter, 6 as an Entree

 

1½ cup dried borlotti, cranberry, red kidney, pinto or white beans (or any combination of beans)

3 quarts cold water

3 large Idaho baking Potatoes, peeled, cut into ½” dice

2 springs fresh rosemary

2 fresh or dried bay leaves

1½ tsp peperoncino (crushed red pepper)

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 medium-sized onion, chopped

1 recipe Trito (see recipe below)

1 cup canned peeled Italian plum tomatoes, crushed

½ pound ham hocks, pig’s foot, or fresh/smoked port butt

1 cup ditalini pasta

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

 

1. Place the beans in a deep bowl and pour in enough cold water to cover them by at least 4 inches. Soak the beans in a cool place for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
2. Drain the beans and transfer them to a deep, heavy 4-6 quart pot.  Add water, potatoes, rosemary, bay leaves, and peperoncino; bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally
3. Heat olive oil in a medium-size skillet over medium heat.  Add onion and cook to golden brown, stirring often, about 6 minutes.
4. Add trito and stir until browned, about 2 minutes.  Add crushed tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Pour mixture into large soup pot.  If using ham hocks, add them now.  Continue simmering over medium heat until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.  If using port butt, add it 30 minutes after adding the trito mixture.
6. Transfer a portion of the cooked soup base to a bowl; mash coarsely and return to soup pot.  (The soup can be prepared to this point up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated.  Bring the soup to a boil before continuing. )
7. Stir in the pasta. Cook, stirring often, until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes.
8. Remove the meat from the pot while the pasta is cooking. Shred meat into bite-size pieces and return to the soup pot.
9. Remove soup from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Let stand for 5 minutes. then ladle into warm bowls; sprinkle with grated cheese.

 

Trito

Makes 3/4 cup

4 cloves garlic, peeled

½ cup shredded carrots

½ cup lightly packed chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon extra if storing

 

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until very smooth.  Stop the machine once or twice to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
2. Transfer the trito to  a small bowl and smooth the surface.  To store drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over the surface, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

 

This is another great Italian soup.  I have shared the recipe with several friends who have showcased it as part of their holiday buffet. Traditionally, we toast some day-old bread and put it at the bottom of the soup bowl before ladling the soup in, or serve it along side to scoop up all good, thick beans.

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