Best Torta Rustica Recipes

SAUSAGE, ROASTED RED PEPPER, AND SPINACH TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 8x8x2-inch baking dish. Place 8 baguette slices in bottom of dish; press 2 baguette slices onto each side. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large pot over medium-high heat. Add spinach; toss until just wilted, about 3 minutes. Transfer spinach to strainer; cool. Squeeze spinach dry. Transfer to medium bowl.
• Heat same pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage. Sauté until cooked through, breaking up, about 7 minutes. Mix into spinach; mix in 1 cup cheese and peppers. Spread atop baguette slices in bottom of dish. Whisk eggs in medium bowl to blend.
• Whisk in last 4 ingredients. Pour over spinach mixture and stir lightly with fork to distribute evenly. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over. Bake torta until puffed and golden and center is set, about 55 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes before serving.

TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mound flour on a table and make a well in the center. Pour the dissolved yeast, oil, and salt into the center of the well. Gently mix in flour with a fork. Dough should be smooth and pliable. Add warm water if dough is too dry. Roll the dough into a ball and put in an oiled bowl. Cover with a cloth and put in a warm place for 1 hour.
• Divide the dough into 2 pieces and roll out 1 of the dough balls into a round shape, about 12 inches in diameter and 1/4-inch thick. Lay in a greased 12-inch tart pan with a removable bottom.
• Spread the tomatoes, mozzarella, ham, and pecorino on the dough. Sprinkle with oregano, salt and pepper. Roll out the other ball and lay it on top, folding the top and bottom layers of dough together around the edges. Cut 3 small holes in top of the pie for steam to escape. Bake in the oven until the crust is brown and the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.

TANTALIZING TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Rub the shortening into flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Keep the ingredients as cold as possible and rub using fingertips only.
• Add enough ice water to form a dough that comes cleanly away from the bowl.
• Wrap in plastic and allow to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the filling.
• Heat the pizza stone and oven to 375°F Using the pizza stone prevents the pastry from becoming soggy.
• Sun-dried tomato layer - Combine the feta, ricotta and sun-dried tomatoes and blend in a food processor.
• Add the egg and continue to blend until a paste is formed.
• Mix in grated asiago cheese and pine nuts and place in covered bowl and set aside in fridge.
• Spinach layer - thaw and drain spinach. Dry the spinach with kitchen towels, it is important this is not too moist or the pastry will become soggy.
• Combine spinach, thinly sliced shallots, cayenne pepper flakes and Italian herbs.
• Roll out the 2/3 pastry to approximately a 10" circle. Lightly dust the cake tin with corn flour.
• Line the cake tin (7" diameter, 3" deep springform pan) with the rolled pastry. Brush the pastry with egg white and allow to air dry. This will also help to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
• Layer half mozzarella in to the bottom, follow with half the sun dried tomato mixture, next spinach layer, then roasted red peppers. Place all of the artichokes in the next middle layer and repeat with the other half. Make sure the peppers and artichoke are dried with kitchen towel to prevent crust sogginess.
• You can layer the torta whatever way you like - be creative!
• Roll out the remaining pastry and cut into 1" strips. Place over the torta to create a lattice and seal with the bottom crust.
• Brush the top of the pastry with milk.
• Bake at 375F for 50-60 minutes until golden.
• Allow to cool before removing from the pan. You can invert the pan into a plate and repeat to turn the correct way around. Best served at room temperature.

SUE'S TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Prepare the pastry: combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in 3 beaten eggs, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, and the cold water, and mix just until combined. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the Italian sausage. Cook and stir until the sausage is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Cool.
• Divide the pastry into two unequal pieces, about one-third and two-thirds. Roll the small piece out on a lightly floured surface. Trace the bottom of a springform pan to make a 9-inch circle; keep any scraps of dough. Transfer the circle of dough to a plate or baking sheet and refrigerate. Roll out the larger piece of dough and any leftover scraps into a large circle about 1/4-inch thick. Carefully fold the dough in half and transfer it to a 9-inch springform pan. Let the weight of the dough sink down into the sides of the pan; gently press the dough into the bottom edges. Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to trim the dough to have a 1-inch overhang. Refrigerate while you assemble the filling.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine the 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 3 beaten eggs, the ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, and the chopped parsley in a bowl and mix well.
• Layer the filling in the pastry-lined springform pan. Place 4 slices of ham, half the pepperoni, and half of the hard-cooked egg slices in the bottom of the pan. Top with half of the cubed salami and half of the cooked Italian sausage. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Repeat the layers.
• Top the filled torta with the chilled round of pastry. Fold the edges over and crimp the crust to seal. Brush the pastry with the melted butter and bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is a deep golden brown, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool at least 15 minutes before slicing.

TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Slice the sausage into 1/4 inch coin sized pieces and saute. Remove from pan when thoroughly cooked and pat dry between paper towels. Slice the tomato, onion and peppers. Prepare Pie dough and place dough in the bottom of the pan. Next, place half of the sausage on the bottom of the pie. Add half of the peppers, onion and tomato. Add a layer of Swiss Cheese. Add a level of sausage and vegtables again, top with baby spinach and swiss cheese. Add the top of the pastry shell. Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush the top of the pie with the egg. Place in oven at 375 F. Bake for 25-35 minutes, watch carefully as you don't want to burn the pie.

TORTA RUSTICA (SPINACH , TOMATO & CHEESE QUICHE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425. You can use the piecrust pan provided, or place one crust in a 9-inh pie pan for better presentation. Leave the other piecrust out to thaw.
• Lightly beat 1 egg; brush half the egg over bottom of crust and set the rest aside to use later on the top of the crust.
• In a large bowl, combine remaining eggs, ricotta, Asiago, and Parmesan cheese and basix; mix until well blended.
• Stir in spinach, bread crumbs and tomatoes.
• Scrape mixture into prepared piecrust; smooth top to make and even layer.
• Place second piecrust over filling.
• Brush remaining egg over the top.
• Flute edge and seal.
• Bake pie 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375; bake 20 minutes longer, or until golden brown.
• Cool on a wire rack at least 30 minutes before serving.

SAUSAGE, ROASTED RED PEPPER, AND SPINACH TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Butter 8x8x2-inch baking dish. Place 8 baguette slices in bottom of dish; press 2 baguette slices onto each side. 3. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large pot over medium-high heat. 4. Add spinach; toss until just wilted, about 3 minutes. 5. Transfer spinach to strainer; cool. Squeeze spinach dry. Transfer to medium bowl. 6. Heat same pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage. Sauté until cooked through, breaking up, about 7 minutes. 7. Mix into spinach; mix in 1 cup cheese and peppers. Spread atop baguette slices in bottom of dish. 8. Whisk eggs in medium bowl to blend. Whisk in last 4 ingredients. 9. Pour over spinach mixture and stir lightly with fork to distribute evenly. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over. 10. Bake torta until puffed and golden and center is set, about 55 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes before serving.

SAUSAGE, ROASTED RED PEPPER, AND SPINACH TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 8x8 inch baking dish. Place 8 baguette slices in bottom of dish; press 2 baguette slices onto each side.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large pot over medium-high heat. Add spinach, toss until just wilted, about 3 minutes. Transfer spinach to strainer; cool. Squeeze spinach dry. Transfer to medium bowl.
• Heat same pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage, saute until cooked through, breaking up, about 7 minutes. Mix into spinach; mix in 1 cup cheese and peppers. Spread atop baguette slices in bottom of dish.
• Whisk eggs in medium bowl to blend. Whisk in last 4 ingredients. Pour over spinach mixture and stir lightly with fork to distribute evenly. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over top.
• Bake torta until puffed up and golden and center is set, about 55 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest 15 minutes before serving.

"TORTA RUSTICA"

Steps:

• Spray a 10 inch springform pan with non-stick spray. Roll one loaf of bread dough into circle large enough to fit in bottom and up sides of pan. If dough is too elastic to work with, let it rest a few minutes and try again. Press rolled dough onto bottom and sides of pan. Arrange layers of cheeses, meats and peppers in first 1/3 of pan. Add prepared omelet layer (see note), then more cheese, peppers and meats, then the drained spinach. Press ingredients down firmly as you go. Add more meats and cheeses until level with top of pan, pressing down firmly. Roll remaining loaf of dough into circle to fit top of torta. Pinch dough together at sides and brush with egg white mixture. Bake at 350 degrees 1 hour or until bread is golden and pulls away from sides of pan slightly. Cool completely before removing from pan. Cut into wedges to serve. FOOTNOTES: Using three beaten eggs, salt, pepper and spices to taste, make a thin omlette, remembering to keep it about the size and shape of your springform pan. Cool slightly.

SICILY TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 10-inch springform pan with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.
• Heat oil in medium-size nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Add onion and garlic; sauté for 5 minutes. Add sausage slices; sauté until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove skillet from the heat.
• Combine ricotta cheese, eggs, provolone, prosciutto, Parmesan, salt and pepper in large bowl. Stir in the sausage mixture.
• Roll out both pie crusts on lightly floured surface with lightly floured rolling pin to two 14-inch rounds. Place one round in bottom of prepared pan. With fingers, lightly press crust into bottom and up sides of pan, without stretching dough.
• Spoon cheese mixture into pastry-lined pan. Place second crust on top of cheese; trim edges of pastry even with rim of pan. Brush pastry with beaten egg yolk.
• Bake on the bottom oven rack in 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. (If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover with a sheet of aluminum foil).
• Turn oven off; let the pie continue to cook in the oven for another 15 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Mix flour, cornmeal, and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat 2 eggs with 3 tablespoons cold water; stir into flour mixture until dough holds together. Add another tablespoon water if needed. Shape 2/3 of the dough into flattened round; repeat with remaining 1/3. Wrap. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or until firm enough to roll.
• In another bowl, combine ricotta cheese, crumbled feta, Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, parsley, basil, and oregano until well blended.
• Have an 8 or 9 inch springform pan ready. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the larger portion of dough into a 15 inch diameter circle. Carefully place in ungreased pan; press lightly against bottom and sides. Trim overhanging dough to 1 inch from pan rim.
• Scatter half of the mozzarella over the bottom of the crust. Next arrange half the ham slices in an even layer. Spread with ricotta cheese mixture, then sprinkle with spinach. Cover with the remaining ham slices. Press down gently to pack layers. Add red peppers in a single layer, and top with the remaining mozzarella. Press down again.
• Roll out remaining dough to 8 or 9 inch circle. Place over filling to cover. Moisten edges, and seal crusts together. Crimp or flute edges. Crust should not extend above pan rim. Beat remaining egg, and brush over the crust. Cut several small vents in top crust for steam to escape.
• Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until crust is deep golden brown and pulls away from sides. Cool in pan on wire rack 45 minutes. Remove pan sides; cool completely. Cut into 12 wedges. Serve at room temperature.

TORTA RUSTICA

Steps:

• 1. Place the oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375º Butter a 9 x 3-inch springform pan.
• 2. Roll out the larger piece of dough to a 15-inch circle. Drape the dough over the rolling pin. Carry the rolling pin to over the prepared pan. Fit the dough into the pan. Flatten any wrinkles. Scrape the filling into the pan.
• 3. Roll out the smaller piece of dough to a 9 1/2-inch circle. Cut the dough into 3/4 inch wide strips. Lay half the strips 1 inch apart over the filling. Give the pie a quarter turn and place the remaining strips on top. Press the ends of the strips against the dough on the sides of the pan firmly to seal. Trim the excess dough
• 4. Beat together 1 egg yolk 1 Tablespoon water Brush the lattice top with the egg mixture. Bake for 75 minutes. The pie should be golden brown on top and the filling should puff up. Cool the pie in the pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and remove the sides of the pan. Let the pie cool completely. serve at room temperature or lightly chilled.