Easter Grain Pie recipe

Name: Easter Grain Pie
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Ingredients: 6 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup white sugar; 1 tablespoon shortening; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest; 1 ½ pounds ricotta cheese; 2 teaspoons grated orange zest; 5 cups water; ½ cup whole wheat berries; 1 (8 ounce) package mixed candied fruit; 2 pastries for 9-inch lattice-top pies; 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar for dusting

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Pour in wheat and allow to boil 40 minutes. As wheat is cooking, beat eggs in a large bowl while gradually adding 1 cup sugar to eggs. Mix in fruit, ricotta, vanilla extract, cinnamon, lemon rind, and orange rind.

Step 3

When wheat is ready, drain in a colander and rinse with warm water. Place 3/4 cup of cooked wheat in a small bowl, and mix in shortening and salt. Stir until shortening is melted, then stir wheat mixture into ricotta mixture along with the rest of the cooked wheat berries.

Step 4

Line two 9 inch pie pans with pastry. Cut remaining pastry into strips for tops of pies. Spoon half of filling into each pan. Cover with pastry strips to form lattice tops. Crimp edges.

Step 5

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Sprinkle each pie with 1 tablespoon sugar and allow to cool at room temperature. Chill overnight before serving. Store any leftovers in refrigerator.