Nonna's Rice Ricotta Pie

This Rice Ricotta Pie recipe is a staple for my Nonna! Also known as grain pie, it can seem a little weird to put rice in a pie, but trust me on this one.. it's delicious! Plus, it's customizable dependiong on your mood.

Ingredients:

For the crust:

-2 1/4 cups flour

-1/2 cup sugar

-1 1/4 cup cold vegan butter, cubed (I use earth balance, but you can also use vegetable shortening)

-1 tsp. Baking powder

-Ice water if needed (1 tbsp. at a time)

-Orange zest (optional - you could also swap for lemon zest)

For the filling:

-1 lb. Ricotta (2 cups) - homemade or Kite Hill Vegan Ricotta works well

-1 cup cooked arborio rice

-1 cup sugar

-1 tsp. Vanilla extract

-Zest of 1 lemon or orange

(Other optional add-ins - a dash of cinnamon or add in 1 to 2 tsp. of anise extract. My Nonna adds anise when she makes it around Christmas, and uses lemon or orange around Easter).

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare your crust. Begin by mixing all dough ingredients (except water) together. You can do this by hand or with a food processor. If the dough is very crumbly and not sticking together when you press it with your hands, then add a tablespoon of ice water at a time, until your dough comes together into a ball.

Take about 3/4 of the dough and roll it out (save the rest for your strips on top if doing). Place in a 9 inch tart pan (or spring form or pie pan) and press the dough into the sides of the pan. Remove all excess dough and use a fork to lightly pierce the bottom of your pie crust. Set aside.

(If making strips for top of pie, you can roll it out, cut into 1 inch strips and set aside).

Prepare the filling. Mix all filling ingredients into a bowl until well combined. Pour the filling into your tart/pie pan, and then cover with dough strips if using. You do not need to weave the dough strips. Simply lay a handful across one direction, and then lay a handful across the other direction.

Bake in your preheated oven for 45 minutes. Let cool completely - at least 3 hours. If you

can wait overnight, even better! The flavors really meld over night.

Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!

Note: This pie will taste extra yummy if you prepare ahead of time so that flavors really meld!