#easterpie

[kitchenhermit]

Pastiera Napoletana

Pastiera Napoletana, also known as grain pie, is a delicious and luxurious sweet enjoyed in Naples, Italy, throughout Easter. It is filled with a rich wheat and ricotta custard, brightened with candied fruit, orange blossom water, and lemon zest - baked in sweet shortcrust pastry. 

Recipe notes:

Shortcrust pastry: I have an easy recipe included. You can use store-bought dough, just make sure it’s sweet pastry. I’d also recommend buying an extra sheet of pastry, to cut the strips to put on top of the pastiera!

Making ahead: You can make the pastry and the ricotta mixture up to two days before baking. Pastiera is even better on the second day because the sweetness softens and the flavours become much more complex and nuanced. I love it the most on the second day - so this is perfect to make ahead.  

Ricotta: I use 200 grams of sheep’s milk ricotta (which is sweet and creamy) and 200 grams of cow’s milk ricotta (which is denser and slightly more savoury). This combination makes a delicious pastiera, but it’s also fine two use 400 grams of cow’s milk ricotta if you prefer!

Cooked wheat: This is an absolute must for pastiera! In Italy, it’s known as grano cotto, and you can buy it in jars at the supermarket around Easter time. If you can’t find it online, check out an Italian speciality grocer, or even a health-food store.  

Ingredients:

Sweet shortcrust pastry: 

315 grams all-purpose / 00 flour

135 grams granulated white sugar

180 grams cold lard/shortening 

3 egg yolks (whisked)

Wheat ricotta custard: 

250 grams whole milk

350 grams cooked whole wheat berries (grano cotto)

Zest from 1 lemon

30 grams lard/shortening

400 grams ricotta 

3 eggs 

350 grams white granulated sugar

100 grams finely diced candied orange/citron (optional*)

15 grams orange blossom water 

A pinch of ground cinnamon 

Seeds from one vanilla bean / 1 tsp vanilla extract 

Method:

Sweet shortcrust pastry: 

Sift flour into a large bowl. Then add the sugar and the cold lard in small pieces. Using a pastry cutter/fork, or your fingers, cut the lard into the flour until there are only pea-sized amounts remaining and the mixture looks sandy. Add in the egg yolks and mix the dough with your hands until it comes together. You may need to add 1 tsp of water, but the dough will be quite crackly and delicate. There may be little spots of egg yolk throughout, but this isn't important. Just don't over-mix! 

When it comes together, put the dough out on plastic wrap and shape it into a flat disk. Cover well with the plastic, and refrigerate for at least one hour and up to two days. 

Wheat ricotta custard:

While the pastry is in the fridge, add the milk, lemon zest, lard, and cooked wheat into a small pot. Cook over low-medium heat, stirring regularly and breaking up the large pieces of wheat. The cream is done when the lard is melted and isn’t separated from the milk, the wheat has softened and isn’t clumped together, and the mixture has just started to simmer. Take it off the heat, and let it cool while you prepare the ricotta. 

Push the ricotta through a fine-mesh strainer (use a rubber spatula to force it through). If you have a food mill, use that! The reason we do this extra step is to make sure the ricotta is nice and fluffy. If you don’t have these tools, just whisk it together well. 

Add in the eggs, sugar, and the cooled wheat and milk mixture. Then whisk in the candied fruit, orange blossom water, vanilla beans, and a pinch of cinnamon.

Putting it together: 

Grease a 22cm/9cm pie tin with lard/shortening. Dust generously with flour and set aside. 

Take the shortcrust pastry out of the fridge. If it's been in the fridge for more than an hour, let it rest for a few minutes on the counter. Lightly dust some flour on a silicone pastry mat or your counter top, and gently roll out the dough. This is a very delicate dough, so cracks are normal. Just gently press the broken dough back together and try not to use too much flour. Roll out into a circle until it's about 1/2 inch/ 1.5cm thick and 12 inches/30cm in diameter. Gently place it in the greased tin. Don't worry if it breaks in the process, just press it into the baking tin and it'll work fine! This is a very forgiving dough. Cut off the extra dough overhanging the baking tin. Gather it all together, dust with flour and roll it out into a rectangle, around 22cm/9 inches in length. With a pastry wheel cutter, cut as many 2-inch strips as you can. Gently place them across the pastiera in a weave pattern. I usually get around 6. 

Pour the mixture into the pie crust, and place the strips on top. Put the pie into an oven, preheated at 180C/356F. Bake for 60 minutes. Then, place the oven tray on the bottom and bake for 10 minutes more. The pastiera is done when it’s dark (but not burnt on top), the pie has puffed up, and there is a fragrant smell of orange blossom water throughout your kitchen. 

Once the pie is finished, open the oven door slightly and let the pastiera rest there until completely cool. I use a piece of aluminium foil, to keep the oven door slightly ajar. If you take it out too quickly the middle will sink, causing the pastiera to have a crackly hole in the middle. If this happens, don’t worry, the pastiera will still be delicious!

When the pastiera has cooled down, cover with plastic wrap and store it at room temperature. It will be good to eat for up to 5 days.

Serve with a light dusting of icing sugar, and enjoy your Neapolitan easter treat! 

Notes:

1- The pastiera is very delicate, so it may not be possible to take the entire pie out of the tin to serve. In Naples, bakeries actually sell the pastiera inside its baking tin, because it's so fragile! 

*Candied fruit: This is an optional mix-in, but highly recommended! Candied citrus fruit cuts through the sweetness, and adds to the floral notes of the pie. If possible, try to find candied citron (a large type of green lemon that’s grown in the south of Italy). If you can’t, orange or lemon peel will work just as well!

[culinarygenes]

Bring the Magic of Easter to Your Table with Pasqualina! 🇮🇹

Easter isn't complete without a slice of tradition, and in Italy, that tradition often comes in the form of a delicious pie!

"Pasqualina's Table: Our Italian Family Traditions…The Gluten-Free Way" isn't just a cookbook, it's a portal to authentic Italian celebrations, straight from our family to yours.

This year, celebrate Easter with the iconic Pastiera di Grano (A pastiera e' gran) - a ricotta and wheat berry pie bursting with flavor and symbolism. Legend has it each ingredient holds a special meaning, a beautiful reminder of the season's significance.

Inside "Pasqualina's Table," you'll find our cherished gluten-free version of this Easter staple. We've kept the tradition alive while ensuring everyone can enjoy a taste of Italy's culinary heritage.

Ready to create unforgettable Easter memories?

Find the link to our cookbook HERE! Share this post with your friends and family who crave a taste of authentic Italian Easter traditions.

We want to hear from you! What are your favorite Easter food traditions? Tell us in the comments below!

[ginaraemitchell]

Weekly Friday Finds 03-22-2024 | Books ~Author News ~ Recipes ~ Crafts ~ New Trivia Question

Weekly Friday Finds 03-22-2024 | Books ~Author News ~ Recipes ~ Crafts ~ New Trivia Question The 03-22-2024 Weekly Friday Finds are here with the cutest green room you've ever seen, Sunday brunch recipes, independent author news, books for your reading list, a blog roundup with a big announcement, and the latest trivia question. #Trivia #BookReview #TBRbooks #Greenhouse #Diarama #IndieAuthors #EasterPrintables #PizzaChiena #EasterPie #LemonBlueberry #FrenchToast #NCAA #MarchMadness @KellyOliverBook @KellyOliverAuthor @CindyBellBooks

Weekly Friday Finds | 03-22-2024 | Books ~Author News ~ Recipes ~ Crafts ~ New Trivia Contest Question Welcome to the 03-22-2024 edition of the weekly Friday Finds. This week, I have lots of goodies for you, from Easter/Family dinner recipes to new blog features. As always,  there are reviews, blog posts, Indie Author news, creative projects, books for your TBR list, and the Trivia Contest. Let’s…

[cdgorri]

Pizza rustica is out of the oven! My house smells delicious! #homemade #pizzachiena #pizzarustica #easterpie #italiansbelike #napolifoodporn https://www.instagram.com/p/CNFsPQYjWJi/?igshid=hclgkv1m0poz

[giorginodj]

Reposted from @marcellina.in.cucina ✨ PASTIERA NAPOLETANA ✨ This traditional Italian pie is found on every Easter table, all over Italy. It is filled with a delicious mixture of ricotta, wheat berries, candied fruits and fragrant orange blossom. An absolute must for my Easter table. For the FULL RECIPE, click the link in my INSTA BIO then select the Pastiera Napoletana photo or just send me a message! https://www.marcellinaincucina.com/la-pastiera-for-easter-and-beyond/ . . . . . . . . . #pastiera #pastieranapoletana #pastieranapoletanafattaincasa #easterpie #italianeasterpie #easterrecipe #easterdessert https://www.instagram.com/p/CcaueZoMEEr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[beyondandbeauty]

Homemade peach 🍑 pie for Easter 🐣 #easter #easterpie #anniversary #homemade #homemadepie #homemadepies #family #familytime #familyiseverything #familyfirst #familyislove #familylove #familyfun #familymeals #familyday #familyforever #pie #peach #peaches🍑 #peaches #flour #sugar #butter #brownsugar #piecrust #homemadepiecrust #homemadecrustisthebest #homemadecrust #lovepeach #lovemylife https://www.instagram.com/p/CNOcqhKJlWE/?igshid=19s9g9lm7wost

[overeasywithrye]

Our Pizzagaine this year. While this was baking I wanted to take the dog on a walk so I placed a sheet of foil over the top so it wouldn't burn. Well it stuck and now you have an inside shot! I wasn't going to post it but it's gorgeous, I spent so much time and I loved making it. @instagram paints this filtered picture of life but life is anything but perfect. There's beauty in the imperfections ❤️ #pizzagaine #easter #easterholiday #meatpie #eggs #boiledegg #salami #pepperoni #soppressata #farmerscheese #mozzarella #pork #porkudon #groundpork #cabbage #udonnoodles #soysauce #mirin #pie #easterpie (at Bristol, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNJNFSfsHn5/?igshid=1xi6igt0ezm8f

[gregjosephpagano]

#BuonaPasqua encore! #LaFamiglia #OrthodoxEaster #pasquaortodossa #Lamb #Easterbrunch #Easterdinner #LaFamigliaPagano #JillianNoonan #JaninePagano #LenoreNoonan #ChickiePagano #GregPagano #GregPaganoSr #VinnyGeorge #UncleVinny #GregPaganoJr #Easterpie #Easterlamb #Easterfeast https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw1ePKYlHAs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pjpgvnedvrs4

[nathanleejames]

Probably the best pies I’ve made! They used to come out a bit runny, ha. #lemonpies #easterpie #food #foodie #pie #pies #foodporn #picoftheday #photooftheday #igers #iphonesia #instagood #instamood (at Austin, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwhx1EKncxV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=432b5x5pir3r

[ockstyle]

It’s Pastiera Time! A classic southern Easter pie 🥧 This is grain and gluten free, freely adapted from the classical Neapolitan recipe . È tempo di pastiera, questa è la mia versione senza grano ne glutine; ispirata alla ricetta “Pastiera n.2” da “La cucina napoletana” di Jeanne Carola Francesconi . #pastieranapoletana #cucinacampana #easterpastiera #easterpie #glutenfreerecipes #grainfree #dolcipasquali #senzaglutine #senzagrano #pastieradiriso . 📸 @ockphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/BwR9es5lcaC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vajbbppeq21j

[montanacreative]

Working on the look and finish of our easter pies. How we doing?#pie #easterpie #easterpies #piesofinstagram #yycpie #piejunkieyyc #pieshop #yyceats #yycfood #yycbuzz https://www.instagram.com/p/BvZUB-2hyJf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jk4o4aj5r4n8

[ldellfood-design]

French Easter pie recipe @clotildenet #cnzrecipes #frencheasterpie #greenpie #easterbaking #easterpie #savorypie #shortcrustpastry

[weilongfu]

Oops, maybe I cut the top a little too deep. Not bad for a first attempt. #baking #cooking #theweykery #pizzagaina #easterpie

[tpell514]

Delicious box of #pastry from @villabatealba as always. #cannoli #easterpie #lobstertail #villabatealba #bakery #brooklyn #italian #avisualstimulant (at Villabate Alba)

[lakecitycakes-blog]

🐰Now taking Easter orders🐣 Pies, cookie trays, iced cookies, Linzer-style cookies, and cookie kits all available fresh made-to-order for your holiday gathering. . . #lakecitycakes #cdapies #cdacookies #easterpie #eastercookies #linzercookies #pecanpie #applehuckleberrypie #cookielove #cookiekit #pielove #lakecitybakers (at Lake City Cakes)

[lera-prime]

Small Easter pies. Different ones. With a strong black tea. The egg with red colour was painted with artificial substances, and it even put a red spot on a white egg when peeled. Куличики) разные. С крепким черным чаем. Яйцо, которое красное, красили искусственным красителем, аж след был на белом, когда чистила. . . The dough is gonna be tasted in a minute... (Pies were granted by an old woman, she is really a kind person whom I know) Тесто сейчас попробую. Угостили. . . #пасха #easterpie #yummy