Grain Pie Recipe

Ingredients

4 cups fresh or packaged whole-milk ricotta
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons orange water*
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup candied lemon or orange peel, cut into 1/4-inch dice
Confectioners' sugar
Orange-flour water is made by distilling orange oil. It is available in specialty food stores and Middle Eastern groceries.

Preparation

Step 1

Process the 2 1/4 quarter cups granulated sugar, the eggs, and egg yolks in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade until pale yellow. Spoon in the drained ricotta and add the orange water and cinnamon. Mix, using quick on/off pulses, just until blended. Scrape the ricotta mixture into the bowl with the grain, scatter the candied fruit peel over all, and fold together with a rubber spatula until blended. Scrape the filling into the pre-prepared pastry shell.