Recipe: Ricotta Pie
Description: Food Director Susan Westmoreland's Aunt Alice used to make this family favorite every Thanksgiving. Eventually, she had to make two pies, because Westmoreland, her brother, and her cousin would have a contest to see who could eat the most!
Ingredients: [{"text": "3/4 c. margarine or butter"}, {"text": "c. sugar"}, {"text": "1 large egg"}, {"text": "2 tsp. vanilla extract"}, {"text": "2 c. all-purpose flour"}, {"text": "1/4 tsp. salt"}, {"text": "1 package cream cheese"}, {"text": "3/4 c. sugar"}, {"text": "1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon"}, {"text": "1 container ricotta cheese"}, {"text": "5 large egg whites"}]
Instructions: <b>Prepare crust:</b> In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat margarine or butter with sugar until blended. Increase speed to high; beat until light and creamy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Reduce speed to medium; beat in egg until blended. Beat in vanilla. With wooden spoon, stir in flour and salt until dough begins to form. With hands, press dough together. Shape dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes or until dough is firm enough to handle.
Meanwhile, prepare <b>ricotta filling:</b> In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat cream cheese, sugar, and cinnamon until blended. Increase speed to high; beat until light and creamy. Reduce speed to medium; add ricotta cheese and all but 1 tablespoon egg whites and beat just until blended. Set filling aside.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease 13" by 9" glass baking dish.
With floured hands, press dough onto bottom and up sides of baking dish. Brush reserved egg white over dough. Pour in ricotta mixture; spread evenly. With fingers, gently push edge of dough into scalloped design around top of filling.
Bake pie 25 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake 10 to 15 minutes longer, until center barely jiggles. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight, until well chilled.
