Sues Torta Rustica Food

SUE'S TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Prepare the pastry: combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in 3 beaten eggs, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, and the cold water, and mix just until combined. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the Italian sausage. Cook and stir until the sausage is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Cool.
• Divide the pastry into two unequal pieces, about one-third and two-thirds. Roll the small piece out on a lightly floured surface. Trace the bottom of a springform pan to make a 9-inch circle; keep any scraps of dough. Transfer the circle of dough to a plate or baking sheet and refrigerate. Roll out the larger piece of dough and any leftover scraps into a large circle about 1/4-inch thick. Carefully fold the dough in half and transfer it to a 9-inch springform pan. Let the weight of the dough sink down into the sides of the pan; gently press the dough into the bottom edges. Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to trim the dough to have a 1-inch overhang. Refrigerate while you assemble the filling.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine the 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 3 beaten eggs, the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, and the chopped parsley in a bowl and mix well.
• Layer the filling in the pastry-lined springform pan. Place 4 slices of ham, half the pepperoni, and half of the hard-cooked egg slices in the bottom of the pan. Top with half of the cubed salami and half of the cooked Italian sausage. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Repeat the layers.
• Top the filled torta with the chilled round of pastry. Fold the edges over and crimp the crust to seal. Brush the pastry with the melted butter and bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is a deep golden brown, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool at least 15 minutes before slicing.

TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• To make the dough:Place all of the dough ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Set on low speed until the wet ingredients incorporate into the dry. Check the dough's consistency about 7 minutes, adding additional water or flour to form a smooth ball of dough.Remove the dough and cut off about one-third. In separate olive oil coated bowls let both pieces rest, covered with plastic wrap. Make the filling while the dough rests.To make Filling I:In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, egg, basil, and oregano. Stir to combine.To assemble: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9" springform pan or a deep (at least 2") 9" round cake pan.On a lightly floured surface, roll the larger portion of dough into a 15" circle.Carefully place the dough into the prepared pan; press it against the bottom and sides.Trim the overhanging dough to within 1" of the pan rim.Add 1 cup of the mozzarella over the bottom of the crust, then arrange half the prosciutto slices in an even layer.Spread with all of the ricotta cheese mixture, and then sprinkle with all of the spinach.Cover with the remaining prosciutto slices; press down gently to pack the layers.Add the red peppers in a single layer, and top with the remaining mozzarella. Press down again.Roll the remaining dough into a 9" circle.Using water moisten the edges of the bottom crust and place the top crust over the filling, pressing to seal the top and bottom crusts.Brush the top crust with beaten egg and cut several small vents for steam to escape.Bake the torta for 1 hour, or until the crust is a deep golden brown and pulls away from the sides of the pan.Cool it in the pan on a baking rack for at least 45 minutes. Remove the pan sides carefully then cool it completely.Serve the Torta Rustica at room temperature.The Torta Rustica can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mound flour on a table and make a well in the center. Pour the dissolved yeast, oil, and salt into the center of the well. Gently mix in flour with a fork. Dough should be smooth and pliable. Add warm water if dough is too dry. Roll the dough into a ball and put in an oiled bowl. Cover with a cloth and put in a warm place for 1 hour.
• Divide the dough into 2 pieces and roll out 1 of the dough balls into a round shape, about 12 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick. Lay in a greased 12-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Spread the tomatoes, mozzarella, ham, and pecorino on the dough. Sprinkle with oregano, salt and pepper. Roll out the other ball and lay it on top, folding the top and bottom layers of dough together around the edges. Cut 3 small holes in top of the pie for steam to escape. Bake in the oven until the crust is brown and the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.

PARMESAN SPINACH CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Pulse spinach in three batches in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add ricotta (or cottage cheese), Parmesan, eggs, garlic, salt and pepper; stir to combine.
• Coat 8 cups of the muffin pan with cooking spray. Divide the spinach mixture among the 8 cups (they will be very full).
• Bake the spinach cakes until set, about 20 minutes. Let stand in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges with a knife and turn out onto a clean cutting board or large plate. Serve warm, sprinkled with more Parmesan, if desired.

AUTUMN TORTE RUSTICA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place squash slices on baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Lightly spritz with cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes or until tender., Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine two eggs, cheeses and sage. In a small bowl, whisk water and remaining egg; set aside., In a large skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Stir in the spinach, garlic and nutmeg. Cook and stir for 2 minutes; set aside., Unfold one pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out into a 14-in. square. Press onto bottom and up sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan, allowing excess pastry to drape over edges. Brush with reserved egg mixture. , Layer with half of the squash, cheese mixture and spinach. Repeat layers. Roll out the remaining pastry into a 10-in. square; place over filling. Trim edges; fold the bottom pastry over the top and press edges to seal. Reroll pastry trimmings. Cut out with a small leaf cookie cutter; place on torte. Brush pastry with egg mixture., Place pan on baking sheet. Bake at 400° 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire rack to cool for 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate leftovers.

TANTALIZING TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Rub the shortening into flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Keep the ingredients as cold as possible and rub using fingertips only.
• Add enough ice water to form a dough that comes cleanly away from the bowl.
• Wrap in plastic and allow to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the filling.
• Heat the pizza stone and oven to 375°F Using the pizza stone prevents the pastry from becoming soggy.
• Sun-dried tomato layer - Combine the feta, ricotta and sun-dried tomatoes and blend in a food processor.
• Add the egg and continue to blend until a paste is formed.
• Mix in grated asiago cheese and pine nuts and place in covered bowl and set aside in fridge.
• Spinach layer - thaw and drain spinach. Dry the spinach with kitchen towels, it is important this is not too moist or the pastry will become soggy.
• Combine spinach, thinly sliced shallots, cayenne pepper flakes and Italian herbs.
• Roll out the 2/3 pastry to approximately a 10" circle. Lightly dust the cake tin with corn flour.
• Line the cake tin (7" diameter, 3" deep springform pan) with the rolled pastry. Brush the pastry with egg white and allow to air dry. This will also help to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
• Layer half mozzarella in to the bottom, follow with half the sun dried tomato mixture, next spinach layer, then roasted red peppers. Place all of the artichokes in the next middle layer and repeat with the other half. Make sure the peppers and artichoke are dried with kitchen towel to prevent crust sogginess.
• You can layer the torta whatever way you like - be creative!
• Roll out the remaining pastry and cut into 1" strips. Place over the torta to create a lattice and seal with the bottom crust.
• Brush the top of the pastry with milk.
• Bake at 375F for 50-60 minutes until golden.
• Allow to cool before removing from the pan. You can invert the pan into a plate and repeat to turn the correct way around. Best served at room temperature.

SUE'S TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Prepare the pastry: combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in 3 beaten eggs, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, and the cold water, and mix just until combined. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the Italian sausage. Cook and stir until the sausage is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Cool.
• Divide the pastry into two unequal pieces, about one-third and two-thirds. Roll the small piece out on a lightly floured surface. Trace the bottom of a springform pan to make a 9-inch circle; keep any scraps of dough. Transfer the circle of dough to a plate or baking sheet and refrigerate. Roll out the larger piece of dough and any leftover scraps into a large circle about 1/4-inch thick. Carefully fold the dough in half and transfer it to a 9-inch springform pan. Let the weight of the dough sink down into the sides of the pan; gently press the dough into the bottom edges. Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to trim the dough to have a 1-inch overhang. Refrigerate while you assemble the filling.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine the 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 3 beaten eggs, the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, and the chopped parsley in a bowl and mix well.
• Layer the filling in the pastry-lined springform pan. Place 4 slices of ham, half the pepperoni, and half of the hard-cooked egg slices in the bottom of the pan. Top with half of the cubed salami and half of the cooked Italian sausage. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Repeat the layers.
• Top the filled torta with the chilled round of pastry. Fold the edges over and crimp the crust to seal. Brush the pastry with the melted butter and bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is a deep golden brown, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool at least 15 minutes before slicing.