Italian Easter Ham Pie
This Italian Easter 'pie' has many names and several variations as to crust and fillings. This is the version that I decided to make, but if you want to look for others, here are some names to look for: Italian Easter Ham pie, pizzagaina (or chiena,chena,cena), pizza rustica, pizza ripiena, pizza piena.
Italian Easter Ham Pie for Two - makes 2 4-inch diameter mini deep dish pies
pastry for a pie crust bottom only
140 gm dry curd cheese or cottage cheese or ricotta**
40-50 gm grated Mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten, 1 tbsp removed for egg wash
1/2 tsp dry parsley
1/8 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
6-8 slices diced deli meat (pepperoni, Genoa salami, capocollo or smoked ham)
Egg wash - 1 tbsp beaten egg and a splash of cream or milk
** Home made paneer cheese (an Indian dry curd cheese) was used. I got 290 gm (10.44 oz) of drained cheese from 2 liters (8 cups) of milk and 1/4 cups of white vinegar.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Roll out two bases (8 inches in diameter) and two tops (5 inches in diameter) and line two deep dish disposable aluminum pie tins with the bases. Set aside the tops.
Mix together the filling ingredients and fill the pie tins. Press down a bit on the filling to compact it.
Moisten the edges of the bases, put on the tops, seal and, with the tines of a fork, seal again. Place the pie tins on a baking sheet for convenient transfer to the oven.
Brush the top of the pies with the egg wash and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the two pie tins to a cooling rack. Cool for 30 minutes to set the filling.
The pies may be eaten warm, room temperature or cold with a salad for a complete meal or on their own for a snack.
Italian Easter Ham Pie for Two - makes 2 4-inch diameter mini deep dish pies
pastry for a pie crust bottom only
140 gm dry curd cheese or cottage cheese or ricotta**
40-50 gm grated Mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten, 1 tbsp removed for egg wash
1/2 tsp dry parsley
1/8 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
6-8 slices diced deli meat (pepperoni, Genoa salami, capocollo or smoked ham)
Egg wash - 1 tbsp beaten egg and a splash of cream or milk
** Home made paneer cheese (an Indian dry curd cheese) was used. I got 290 gm (10.44 oz) of drained cheese from 2 liters (8 cups) of milk and 1/4 cups of white vinegar.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Roll out two bases (8 inches in diameter) and two tops (5 inches in diameter) and line two deep dish disposable aluminum pie tins with the bases. Set aside the tops.
Mix together the filling ingredients and fill the pie tins. Press down a bit on the filling to compact it.
Moisten the edges of the bases, put on the tops, seal and, with the tines of a fork, seal again. Place the pie tins on a baking sheet for convenient transfer to the oven.
Brush the top of the pies with the egg wash and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the two pie tins to a cooling rack. Cool for 30 minutes to set the filling.
The pies may be eaten warm, room temperature or cold with a salad for a complete meal or on their own for a snack.