As with most any recipe the quality of the ingredients you put into it greatly effects the final results. Or as the saying goes “garbage in; garbage out” ! Use a good quality ricotta cheese and as you know, if you have read any more of my blog, I like... no; I love Calabro brand the best. But if you cant find that one then try to find one that does not have guar gum in it. The same goes for the mozzarella. Many grocers have started selling better mozzarella (not the kind that is sealed in plastic and has a ridiculous shelf life!). But if you buy fresh mozzarella in water be sure to remove it from the water and place it on a plate in your refrigerator 24 hours before you start cooking. If you don't the mozzarella will shed water during the baking process and ruin your recipe. Of course the same attention to quality should be taken when you buy the Parmesan, ham and prosciutto.
Pizza Rustica
double recipe prepared food processor pie crusts or any one you want to use
http://themixingspoon.weebly.com/blog/food-processor-pie-pastry-recipe-not-sweet
2 lbs ricotta cheese
1 lb mozzarella diced
5 eggs
2lbs sweet Italian sausage cooked ( remove from casing before cooking or buy bulk sausage already out of the casing)
¼ lb prosciutto chopped
¼ lb ham chopped (use good quality deli ham that is not sliced too thin)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
¼ cup good quality Parmesan or Romano cheese grated
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Line a 10 inch spring-form pan with prepared pastry crust place in refrigerator while preparing the filling. You will use most of the crust recipe some will left over.
In a large bowl mix ricotta and mozzarella together. Stir in eggs one at a time. Add sausage, procuitto, ham, parsley and grated cheese mix together until evenly blended.
Pour mixture into prepared pan . Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes; then lower oven to 325 degrees and bake for 40 to 50 minutes longer or when knife inserted into center comes out clean.
Let rest on counter for 30 minutes. May be served warm or cold. Keeps well in refrigerator for a few days.