Johns Torta Azteca Recipes

TORTA AZTECA OR PASTEL DE POBRES

Steps:

• Quick fry tortillas in oil for 2 to 3 seconds on each side; drain.
• Line the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan with 3 tortillas, then start layering sauce, creme cheese, and all of the ingredients. The top will only have sauce, cream and cheese.
• The ingredients from the refried beans down are all suggestions. You can put in any combination you like of the meats, depending on what you have on hand.
• Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes at 350°.
• Garnish with onions, cilantro and avocado.

JOHN'S TORTA AZTECA

Steps:

• Grind the meat and fry thoroughly in 2 tablespoons shortening. In the rest of the shortening fry the garlic onion and tomatoes for about 5 minutes. Shred peppers, add ½ cup water peppers and meat. Beat egg whites then yolks and fold together. Fry the tortillas in butter till lightly browned and dip in egg mixture. Butter a glass baking dish and place 2 of the tortillas in. Spread a layer of the meat mixture and a layer of cheese - repeat until mixture is used up. Bake in hot oven 425 degrees for one hour - four to six servings

CHEF JOHN'S PIZZA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt, butter, and olive oil for the crust in a large bowl. Blend butter into the flour with a pastry cutter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the flour-butter mixture, pour egg into the well, and mix with a fork until egg is mixed in, about 1 minute. Add cold water and mix briefly with a fork. Switch to mixing with your hands and press mixture into a ball. If it seems dry, sprinkle in some more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until dough comes together.
• Transfer dough to a work surface and press into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to rest for at least 1 hour.
• While the dough is resting, combine drained ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, black pepper, beaten eggs, cooked Italian sausage, smoked ham, salami, and pepperoni for the filling. Mix thoroughly until extremely well combined; don't worry about overmixing. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Rub a 9-inch springform pan with olive oil and dust with flour.
• Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut off 1/3 of the dough and set aside for the top crust. Roll out the remaining dough for the bottom crust, using only as much flour as needed, into a 15-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. Roll the dough onto the rolling pin and transfer to the prepared pan. Tuck the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, being careful not to stretch it. Remove any excess dough, dampen it with water, and use it to fill in where needed.
• Transfer filling into the pan, press firmly into the edges to ensure there are no air pockets, and smooth out the top.
• Roll remaining dough into a circle that's slightly wider than the pan. Roll dough onto the rolling pin and transfer to the pan. Position the top crust properly and press to seal it with the side edges.
• Mix egg and water for egg wash together in a small bowl.
• Brush egg wash on top of dough to moisten entire surface. Trim off excess dough if desired. Fold the side dough down from the pan edges onto the top crust and crimp edges with your fingertips until fully sealed. Brush once more with egg wash.
• Place in the center of the preheated oven, and immediately reduce the heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake until top crust is a beautiful golden brown, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the ring and let cool another 15 minutes before slicing into wedges.