Pizza Chiena

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You can also substitute 2 (20 oz.) bags of pizza dough for the Sweet Pie Crust recipe. This will be enough to make a full bottom and full top pie crust for a 10"-11" deep dish pie plate.

If using this method, remove the 2 doughs from the bags, and place each in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft-free place to rise for a few hours before rolling out.

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Ingredients

  • FOR THE DOUGH (a sweet pie crust):
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick cold unsalted butter cut into 8 pieces
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • FOR THE FILLING (a savory cheesy hearty one):
  • 1 pound Ricotta cheese, drained
  • 1 pound basket (or farmers) cheese
  • 8 oz. Mozzarella Ball diced
  • 4 ounces Provolone, diced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 pound each of three or four of your favorite cold cuts, diced small ( e.g. prosciutto, capicola, mortadella, pepperoni)
  • 1 10” spring form pan, buttered

Preparation

Step 1

FOR THE DOUGH:

Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade; pulse a few times just to mix the ingredients. Add the butter and pulse 15 to 20 times, or until the mixture resembles fine cornmeal. With the machine running, add the eggs and process until the dough forms a ball on the blade, about a minute or so. Remove the dough from the processor and knead it, folding it over on itself, until it is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Wrap the dough in plastic and set aside until needed. (You can refrigerate it for up to 3 days.)

FOR THE FILLING:

Scoop the ricotta into a medium bowl and stir until smooth with a rubber spatula. Add the rest of the filling ingredients one at a time, stirring until each addition is incorporated and the mixture is well blended.

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Divide the dough into two pieces, one twice as large as the other. Working with the larger piece, knead it into a disc and roll it out on a lightly floured work surface into a 12-inch circle.

Transfer the dough to the pie plate and press it gently against the bottom and up the sides of the spring-form pan. Don't worry if the dough tears, just press it back together. Use the dull side of a knife to trim the excess dough even with the rim.

Scrape the filling into the pie shell and smooth the top.

Knead and shape the remaining piece of dough into a block and roll it into a 10-inch square. Using a pizza or pastry cutter, cut the dough into 12 even strips. To form the lattice top, lay 6 of the strips across the pie at 1 1/4 inch intervals, then criss cross the strips, placing the remaining strips diagonally across the first. Trim the ends of the strips even with the edge of the pan and pinch to seal.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is firm and slightly puffed. Transfer the pie to a rack and cool completely before serving. Leftovers can be kept wall covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

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