Traditional Italian Pie

This is the perfect example of a dish with maximum rewards and minimal efforts! School is starting and you're about to be a part of PTO Potlucks, Scout Bring a Dish and that End of Summer Family Reunion.  If you make this dish, you will be the star of the show and I don't think anyone else will be competing with your efforts! This dish is light, creamy and oh so delicious!

2 flat pie crusts

2 packages creamed spinach

1 30 oz package of ricotta cheese

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1 cup of grated parmesan cheese

a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

5 eggs

Fresh ground black pepper and sea salt to taste

Fresh parsley to garnish

Put one crust in the bottom of a well-oiled springform pan.  Top with one package of spinach.  Add half the ricotta cheese and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp nutmeg.  Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the dish.   Add the remaining package of spinach.  Sprinkle on the red pepper flakes.  

Using the back of a spoon or your ice cream scooper, make 4 wells in your dish then add an egg to each well.  Sprinkle with black pepper.  Roll the remaining pie crust to form a top to the dish.  Press the edges of the crust to get complete coverage.

Brush the top crust with a beaten egg.  Cut a few slits in the top crust to allow it to vent while baking. 

Be sure to use the entire beaten egg to make the top of your dish golden and crispy.  Sprinkle with some ground sea salt.

Bake in a pre-heated 350* oven for 35-45 minutes.  Cool on a baking rack for 15 minutes then release the sides of the pan.  Slice and serve!  This makes 8-12 servings depending on the generosity of your slicing.

"Torta Pasqualina" is the Italian name for this dish, and I promise you will love it!   

Blackberry Cheesecake

 

I love a no bake dessert and I'm so happy that I tried this one!  This is a fresh and light flavor combination that you just can't beat!  If you are not a blackberry fan, substitute the berry of your choice.  Blueberries or Strawberries would also be excellent in this dish but I don't recommend combining mixed berries on this one.  A single flavor with a splash of lemon stands alone quite well.

This takes less than 20 minutes to pull together and it's well worth the effort.  It sits in the freezer for an hour then is topped and garnished.  Keep refrigerated for up to 48 hours.

For the filling:

13 oz Blackberry Preserves

2 8 oz bars of softened cream cheese

1 Tbl lemon juice

1/2 c sugar

1 pint whole blackberries (reserved for garnish)

8 oz whipped cream to fold into the cheesecake (you can whip heavy whipping cream or use Cool Whip)

8 additional oz of whipped cream to top your cheesecakes as garnish

Mix preserves. cream cheese. lemon juice and sugar until well combined, then gently fold 8 oz whipped cream into blackberry mixture and set it aside.

For the crust:

1 box Graham crackers, you'll need 12-16 squares

3/4 c sugar

1 stick melted butter

Mix crumbs, sugar and butter in a food processor until well combined.

Add 1 Tbl of crust mixture to a silicone muffin tin (so much easier to remove from a silicone pan)

To make it:

If using muffin cups, press 2Tbl crust mix into a flat layer in your container.  I used jelly jars and put 1Tbl in the bottom of the pint jars and 1 tsp in the mini jelly jars.  

Top crust of muffin cups with an ice cream scoop of blueberry mix.  Level your cups and place in the freezer for one hour or in the fridge for four hours to set the mixture.  In the jelly jars, it takes much less filling, 3 Tbl in the pint jars, 2 Tbl in the mini jelly jars.

You'll need to use a new cheese cloth to make clean lines inside your cups or jars.  You can rinse your cloth between jars to keep your lines clean.  If you don't have cheese cloth, a few paper towels will suffice.  You just need a really clean line inside your serving vehicle.

Put your cups in the freezer for one hour to let your cheesecake set well.  Remove and top with whipped cream, garnish with berries and a sprinkle of lemon zest.

I used small Jelly Jars to make individual self-contained servings.  You can use a disposable cup (I'd recommend clear cups as this is so pretty) and you can even attach a disposable spoon if you want to be Fancy Nancy in presentation!  

This is just perfect for your July 4th cookout or any summer gathering!  You won't be disappointed and I promise they will come back asking for more!  Ya'll Enjoy!