Italian Cheese Pie Recipes

ITALIAN RICOTTA CHEESE PIE

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter and honey and mix well. Place in a 9 inch springform pan and spread evenly across the bottom. Refrigerate 30 minutes to chill.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• In a large electric mixer bowl, combine ricotta and eggs (beat in one at a time until incorporated). Add tablespoon of honey, vanilla and flour. Beat until smooth. Fold in lemon peel and almonds. Pour mixture into chilled crust and scatter pumpkin seeds on top.
• Bake for 1 hour or until just firm and lightly colored on top. Turn oven off, open door and leave pie inside to cool for 30 minutes.
• Remove pie from oven, refrigerate and chill for 2 hours to overnight before serving.

RICOTTA PIE (OLD ITALIAN RECIPE)

Steps:

• Beat the 12 eggs, 2 cups sugar and vanilla extract together in a large bowl. Stir in the ricotta cheese and the chocolate chips, if using (see Cook's Note). Set aside.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, and 1 cup sugar together. Cut in 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in 4 beaten eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Divide dough into 4 balls, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease two deep-dish pie plates.
• Roll out 2 of the balls to fit into the pie pans. Do not make the crust too thick, as it will expand during cooking. Do not flute the edges of the dough. Roll out the other 2 balls of dough and cut each into 8 narrow strips for the top of the crust. (Alternately, you can use cookie cutters and place the cutouts on the top of the pies.)
• Pour the ricotta filling evenly into the pie crusts. Top each pie with 8 narrow strips of dough or cookie cut-outs. Brush top of pie with milk for shine, if desired. Place foil on the edge of crust.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes; remove foil. Rotate pies on the rack so they will bake evenly. Continue to bake until a knife inserted in the center of each pie comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes more. Cool completely on wire racks. Refrigerate until serving.

ITALIAN CHEESE PIE

Steps:

• In a very large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except crusts.
• Mix well, making sure that all ingredients are distributed through the ricotta mixture evenly.
• Spoon the ingredients equally into the pie crusts.
• For a more decorative look, apply strips of pie crust to the top of the pie in a basketweave pattern.
• Bake at 350 degrees until the top of the pie is a dark golden brown and the center is set, approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes.
• Allow pies to cool for about 45 minutes before slicing.
• Serve warm or cold.

CHEESY ITALIAN BACON PIE

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Unroll the crust on a lightly floured work surface. Using floured fingertips, seal any tears in the dough. Sprinkle the dough very lightly with flour. Using the bottom paper to lift, turn the dough over into 9-inch-diameter ceramic or glass pie dish. Peel off the remaining sheet of paper. Trim the dough overhang to 3/4 inch. Fold the overhang under and form a smooth top edge. Crimp the edge decoratively. Pierce the bottom and sides of the crust all over with a fork. Chill the crust at least 10 minutes.
• Bake the crust until deep golden around the top edge and light golden on the bottom, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta cook until brown and crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain and cool, reserving the pancetta drippings in the skillet.
• Add the zucchini, shallots and garlic to the skillet. Saute over medium heat until the zucchini is just barely tender, tossing occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes. Cool the zucchini slightly, about 10 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and cream. Add the cheese, basil, cooled pancetta, mustard, salt, pepper, nutmeg and cooled zucchini mixture. Whisk to blend. Pour the custard into the cooled pie crust.
• Bake the quiche until the sides are slightly puffed and brown and the center is set, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a rack 20 to 30 minutes, and then serve warm or let cool completely and serve at room temperature.