Barra’s Traditional Italian Easter Pie 🥧

Introduction:

Indulge in the culinary heritage of generations with Barra’s Traditional Italian Easter Pie! This savory delight has graced our family’s Easter morning table for five generations, embodying tradition, love, and culinary mastery. While it demands dedication and time, every moment spent crafting this pie is a testament to its worthiness. Passed down as a cherished family secret, it’s now shared with adventurous cooks like you, inviting you to embark on a journey of flavor and tradition.

Recipe Overview:

• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Prep Time: 12 hours
• Total Time: 13 hours
• Servings: 2 nine-inch deep dish pies

Ingredients:

Prepare yourself for a culinary symphony by gathering the following ingredients:

Instructions:

Crust Preparation:

1. Mixing the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Cut in the shortening using two knives or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

2. Incorporating Eggs: Slowly add the beaten eggs to the flour mixture, ensuring thorough incorporation.

3. Binding with Milk: Gradually add milk to the mixture, kneading until it forms a cohesive dough. Add additional liquid if necessary.

4. Shaping the Pastry: Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until ready to use.

Filling Preparation:

1. Preparing Ingredients: Remove the sausage meat from the casings and set aside in a small bowl. Cube the mozzarella and provolone cheeses into 1/4-inch pieces, keeping them separate. Similarly, prepare the ham, prosciutto, and salami, ensuring all ingredients are diced or sliced as desired.

2. Boiling Eggs: Boil a dozen eggs until cooked through. Once cooled, peel and quarter the eggs, setting them aside for assembly.

3. Making Egg Wash: In a blender, combine 10 eggs, Italian parsley, and 1/2 cup of grated cheese. Blend until smooth, creating the egg wash that will serve as the binding agent for the pie.

Assembly:

1. Rolling the Pastry: On a floured surface, roll out each chilled pastry ball to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Shape them into large circles to fit into 9-inch deep-dish glass pie plates, ensuring there is enough pastry to cover the pies.

2. Layering the Ingredients: Begin assembling the pie by layering the quartered hard-boiled eggs evenly on the bottom crust, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Fill the spaces between the eggs with small pieces of sausage meat.

3. Adding Cheese Layers: Sprinkle a layer of grated cheese over the eggs and sausage. Follow with layers of mozzarella, prosciutto, provolone, salami, and ham, ensuring each layer is thinly spread and evenly distributed.

4. Applying Egg Wash: Pour a portion of the prepared egg wash over the first layer of ingredients, using it as a “holding agent” to bind the layers together.

5. Repeat the Layers: Continue layering the ingredients, alternating with the quartered eggs and applying egg wash between each layer. Depending on the depth of your pie dish, you may have two or three layers.

6. Sealing the Pie: Once all layers are added, cover the pie with the remaining pastry dough. Crimp the edges firmly to seal the pie, ensuring it holds together as it bakes. Create a steam hole in the center of the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.

7. Finishing Touches: Brush the pastry with a tablespoon of milk to create a golden glaze and enhance its visual appeal.

Baking:

1. Preheating the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.

2. Baking the Pie: Place the assembled pies in the preheated oven and bake for approximately one hour, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. The aroma wafting from the oven will signal that your pie is perfectly baked.

3. Monitoring the Pie: Keep an eye on the pies while baking, as they may overflow if filled too generously with egg wash or ingredients. Placing a sheet of aluminum foil beneath the pies in the oven can help catch any drips and prevent mess.

Serving and Storage:

1. Serving Warm: Once baked to perfection, remove the pies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving. Slice into generous portions and serve warm to enjoy the full flavors of this traditional dish.

2. Storage: Any leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in a toaster oven or microwave for a quick and delicious meal.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 6825.5
• Fat Content: 472.4g
  • Saturated Fat: 190.6g
• Cholesterol: 3567.4mg
• Sodium: 20139.7mg
• Carbohydrates: 191g
  • Fiber: 6.2g
  • Sugar: 15.1g
• Protein: 430.7g

Conclusion:

Barra’s Traditional Italian Easter Pie is more than just a dish—it’s a culinary journey through time, tradition, and family heritage. With each bite, savor the flavors of Italy and the love passed down through generations. Whether enjoyed as a festive Easter morning breakfast or a comforting weeknight meal, this pie is sure to become a cherished favorite in your home. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and embark on a culinary adventure that’s worth every moment spent in the kitchen. Buon appetito! 🇮🇹🥧