Savory cheese torta

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Savory cheese torta.JPG

Serves: 8

INGREDIENTS

Crust:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted cold butter, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup cold water

Filling:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 16 thin slices pancetta
  • 2 cups mascarpone
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup grated provolone
  • 1 cup grated Asiago
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water

METHOD

Combine flour, Parmesan cheese and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle in enough water so that pastry starts to come together. Dump into a bowl and, using your fingertips, combine gently into a smooth ball. (This prevents overprocessing the pastry). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry pancetta slices until crisp, about 2 minutes per side.

Mix together mascarpone, egg yolks and whole eggs in a bowl. Stir in provolone, Asiago, mustard and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Roll out chilled pastry to fit a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or tart pan with a removable bottom, leaving about 2 inches of overhang.

Layer fried pancetta on top of crust. Spread egg and cheese mixture over top. Fold overhanging pastry over filling – it will not cover the entire top – and brush with egg wash. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until filling is firm and crust is golden.

 

WINE PAIRING

This torta combines some of the same ingredients, but it’s baked and filled with melted cheese, a wine-friendly profile. Specifically, it will be good with an aromatic white, such as gewurztraminer and pinot gris, especially from Alsace. -Beppi Crosariol