Pastiera Napoletana is Naples’ famous Easter dessert. The simple ingredients Pastiera is made of, create an absolutely delicious concoction. Pastiera is an easy dessert to make but, it takes a bit of time and planning to prepare. Pastiera must be cooled entirely in the ring before removing it and pastiera is undoubtedly always better the day after it’s been baked. So, take your time to prepare. Here the link to watch the video: https://youtu.be/8I9CIgEDnxg
Pastiera napoletana
Ingredienti
Shortcrust pastry
- 2 1/3 cups (300 g) pastry flour
- ½ cup + 1 tbsp + 1 tsp (120 g) superfine granulated sugar
- ½ cup + ½ tbsp (120 g) soft unsalted butter
- 2 small (90 g) whole eggs
- Zest from ½ lemon
- Seeds from ½ vanilla pod
- A pinch of salt
Ricotta cheese filling
- 1 cup less 2.5 tbsp (210 g) sheep ricotta cheese
- ½ cup + 3 tbsp (145 g) superfine granulated sugar
- 2 tsp (10 g) egg yolk
- 1 large (63 g) whole egg
Cooked wheat filling
- 8 oz (235 g) cooked wheat berries
- 4 tbsp + 1 tsp (63 g) whole fat milk
- 1 tbsp (12.5 g) unsalted butter
- peel from 1 lemon
Pastry cream
- ½ cup + 1 tbsp (125 g) whole fat milk
- 1 small (16 g) egg yolk
- 2 tbsp + ½ tsp (33 g) superfine granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp (14 g) pastry flour
- Seeds from 1/3 vanilla pod
- Small pinch of salt
Flavorings
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp orange blossom
- 70 g of mixed candied citron and orange, finely chopped
- Zest from ½ orange
Istruzioni
Shortcrust pastry
In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment, knead sugar with butter,salt, vanilla and lemon zest.
Add lightly beaten eggs and mix to combine.
Add flour and knead just the time to get a smooth dough.
Roll the pastry out 4 mm thick and refrigerate for almost 4 hours.
With shortcrust pastry line a 7.5 inches (in diameter) perforated pastry ring and 1.4 inches in high (19 cmx3.5 cm).
Refrigerate.
With leftovers pastry, prepare lattice top and refrigerate.
Ricotta cheese filling
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with sugar and refrigerate for almost 2 hours.
Then, sift the mixture, add lightly beaten eggs and egg yolk and mix to combine.
Cooked wheat filling
In a sauce pan, cook wheat berries, milk, sugar and lemon peel for about 7/8 minutes, stirring constantly, until you get a creamy mixture.
Let completely cool and remove lemon peel.
Pastry cream
Heat milk with vanilla and salt.
In a small bowl, combine egg yolks with sugar and flour.
Pour hot milk over egg mixture and cook, stirring constantly over medium heat, until it starts to thicken – this should take about 1 – 2 minutes.
Pour the custard into a bowl and immediately cover the surface with plastic wrap.
Let completely chill.
To assemble
In a mixing bowl, combine pastry cream with ricotta cheese filling and cooked wheat filling.
Add orange blossom, candied citron and orange, cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for 2 hours.
To bake
Heat oven at 320F – 160°C.
Fill the pastry base with the mixture and bake for 70 minutes.
Raise the temperature at 355F – 180°C and bake for further 20 minutes.
Let completely cool before removing the pastry ring.
Dust with icing sugar to serve.
Enjoy.
