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Seriously Italian: Pastiera (Ricotta and Cooked Grains Cake)

Posted by Gina DePalma, April 9, 2009 at 8:30 AM

Editor's note: On Thursdays, Babbo pastry chef Gina DePalma checks in with Seriously Italian. After a stint in Rome, she's back in the States, channeling her inner Italian spirit via recipes and intel on delicious Italian eats. Take it away, Gina!

"Pastiera is a dessert to grow into, after which it reveals itself as a marvel of balanced flavors and contrasting textures. I'm so glad my mom plugged away with this one because now I cannot imagine Easter without it."

Easter Sunday is rapidly approaching, so this past weekend was devoted to my annual hunt for a can of grano cotto, or cooked grain. Dubious as it sounds, this goopy, congealed mass of soft wheat is the essential ingredient in pastiera, and it simply wouldn't be Easter at my house without this very special and traditional dessert. Pastiera originated in the Italian region of Campania, where father's side of the family is from, and making it has always been a way to honor that part of my heritage.

I'll admit here and now that I wasn't the biggest fan of pastiera when I was a little kid, and the idea of a wheat-and-ricotta pie didn't exactly sound appealing. Why couldn't my mom just make one of those bunny cakes that always appeared on the cover of the ladies magazines, with tinted green coconut grass and a red cherry nose? It seemed that my juvenile palate was always being asked to embrace yet another bizarre combination of Italian ingredients at holiday time, and quite frankly, I just wanted Peeps and chocolate bunny. But pastiera is a dessert to grow into, after which it reveals itself as a marvel of balanced flavors and contrasting textures. I'm so glad my mom plugged away with this one because now I cannot imagine Easter without it.

Like most things Italian, there are variations on the ingredients that make it differ from household to household (and please note, your house makes the best), but grano cotto is truly the soul of the dish. Wheat is most common grain used, although sometimes corn or barley is substituted. Cans of ready-to-use wheat grano cotto are a staple in the baking section of Southern Italian supermarkets, sometimes even labeled "per pastiera."

I used to see the same cans of cooked grain in New York City and suburban supermarkets too, but as time has marched on and Italian neighborhoods have dwindled in size it is getting harder and harder to track them down. But if you can find the canned stuff it is worth the effort because cooking the wheat can be a bit of a pain in the ass. The wheat kernels must first be soaked—soft wheat takes about 24 hours of soaking, while hard wheat needs 3 days with a daily change of water. The wheat is then cooked for hours until it tender, pale and plumped.

Fresh ricotta is the other key ingredient: either cow's milk, or more common in Campania, sheep or even buffalo milk. Orange flower water is traditionally added as a key flavor component, but if you can't find it, freshly grated orange zest works just fine. The rest of the additions are entirely subjective. Some cooks prefer to leave out the candied fruits, which can be any one or a mix of orange, lemon and citron. Candied squash, or zucca candida, is a super-traditional addition that I have omitted, since it is nearly impossible to find outside of Italy.

I tracked down my grano cotto at the Arthur Avenue Retail Market in the Bronx, and when I last checked, DiPalo Dairy in Little Italy of Manhattan had some cans on their shelves too (it is always a good idea to call around just to be sure). If you can't find a can of grano cotto at your local Italian deli or specialty shop, barley makes a good substitute in a pinch; just be sure to cook it until it is extremely soft and tender.

If you decide to cook your own wheat, go for the soft wheat, which you can usually find in health food stores. Soak it in a triple volume of water for 24 hours, draining the soaking water and starting with fresh water, about 3 cups of cooking water per 1 cup of wheat. Cook the wheat for 2 hours, uncovered, at a low simmer, or until the grains are pale, soft and tender. Allow the entire mixture to cool, and if some of the cooking liquid congeals around the kernels that's fine—don't try to separate the goo from the grain. You can process the ricotta smooth in a food processor first if you know that your crowd isn't into the distinctive texture that ricotta brings to the dessert.

A few more caveats: I used a 9 x 2-inch layer cake pan for this recipe because I like the thick wedges it produces; pastiera is all about sinking your fork into the creamy depth of the filling. You can use 9 or 9-1/2-inch deep dish pie plate, or even a springform pan if you don't mind working the dough further down the higher sides of the pan. I have found that when using a 10-inch pan the recipe works fine, but I get a lesser depth of filling which I do not prefer.

You can use any pasta frolla or sweet, short pastry dough recipe you prefer. Mine is generous to allow for a bit of freedom in deciding your pan size, plus I like having a little extra dough in case of a flub, or just to have on hand for miniature crostate or to roll out as cookies.

Family food traditions only survive with tenacity and devotion. My wish for you is to hold fast to your own, this year and every year. Buona Pasqua!

Pastiera

- makes 10 to 12 servings -

1 can (16 ounces or 454 grams) of canned grano cotto
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Freshly grated zest of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pasta Frolla (recipe below)
1 pound (16 ounces or 454 grams) fresh ricotta, smoothed in the food processor if desired
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons orange flower water, or freshly grated zest of 1 orange
1/4 cup diced candied orange
1/4 cup diced candied citron
1 additional egg for egg wash

Procedure

1. Place the cooked grain, milk, sugar, lemon zest and cinnamon in a 2-quart saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring often with a wooden spoon until the mixture is creamy—the grains will retain their shape, but the rest of the mixture should be soft and smooth and there should be no huge clumps of grain; it should resemble creamy oatmeal. Transfer the grain mixture to a shallow bowl and allow it to cool completely.

2. On a floured board, roll 2/3 of the pasta frolla into an 11-inch circle, 1/8th of an inch thick. Transfer the dough to a deep, 9-inch pie plate, or a 9 x 2-inch layer cake pan by rolling the dough around the pin like a carpet and then unrolling it onto the pan. Press the dough into the bottom and sides of the pan, then trim the dough to leave a 1/2-inch overhang. Gather the scraps and save them for another use. Chill the shell while you put together the rest of the filling.

3. Preheat the oven to 350°F and position a rack in the middle of the oven.

4. Place the ricotta in a large bowl and whisk in the eggs, vanilla, orange flower water or zest. Mix in the grain mixture and candied fruits, making sure all the ingredients are completely combined.

5. Set the filling aside while you roll out the remaining pasta frolla into a rectangle at least 11 inches long and 6 inches wide. Using a pastry cutter, make 6 or 7 long strips of dough, 3/4-inch wide. Pour the filling into the chilled shell and carefully arrange the enough of the strips on top to form a lattice pattern and pinching the edges together with the overhang. Trim all the pastry flush with the top of the pan, then gently roll it down and inward with your finger to form a lip around the perimeter.

6. Use a fork to slightly beat the egg with a small splash of water to make an egg wash. With a pastry brush, glaze the pastry strips and edges. Bake the pastiera on the middle rack of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes, rotating it 180° after 20 minutes to ensure even browning. If necessary, you can protect the edges from overbrowning with some strips of aluminum foil.

7. The pastiera is done when the filling is set but jiggly and the pastry is golden brown. A knife inserted in the center will come out clean. Remove it from the oven and set it to cool on a rack. Allow the pastiera to cool completely, or chill it overnight before cutting it into wedges to serve.

Pasta Frolla

Adapted from Dolce Italiano: Desserts From The Babbo Kitchen.

- makes one 10-inch tart shell -

Ingredients

2 1/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Grated zest of 1 lemon or 1 small orange
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks, 6 ounce) unsalted butter, cold, cut into small even cubes
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
A few drops of ice water, if necessary

Procedure

1. Place the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and citrus zest in the bowl of a food processor and pulse several times to combine the dry ingredients.

2. Add all of the cold, cubed butter to the bowl, and process until the mixture is sandy and there are no visible lumps of butter. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract and milk. Add the wet ingredients to the food processor and pulse three or four times or until the dough comes together. If necessary, add some ice water, a few drops at a time, to make the dough come together.

3. Remove the dough from the food processor and work it a bit with your hand to even out any dry or wet spots. Form the dough into a ball, flatten into a disc, wrap in plastic and chill until firm, 1 to 2 hours, before rolling it out.

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Tags: Easter, Seriously Italian, desserts, fall recipes, holidays, pies, tarts