Torta Rustica Recipe from GourmetFoodPlaza.com

Gourmet Food Plaza

Torta Rustica Recipe.....you'll find more recipes like this in our Recipe pages

Torta Rustica
In Italy this recipe is used as a breakfast.
Serves 6
1 lb	sweet Italian sausage links, casings removed
1	large egg
8 oz	ricotta cheese
2 packages	10 oz each refrigerated pizza crust
2 cups	mozzarella cheese, shredded
7 oz	roasted red peppers, drained, cut into 1/2 inch wide slices, and patted dry with paper towels
1/2 cup	packed fresh basil leaves

-	In a 10" skillet, cook sausage over medium heat, stirring frequently to break up meat, until browned, about 20 minutes
-	With slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain

-	Separate egg, placing white in cup
-	Reserve egg white in refrigerator, covered
-	With fork, stir ricotta cheese into egg yolk until mixture is smooth and blended
-	Preheat oven to 425 F

-	On lightly floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll 1 package pizza crust to 13" square
-	Use to line 9 1/2" deep dish pie plate
-	Trim edge, leaving 1" overhang, reserve trimmings
-	Sprinkle half of mozzarella over crust, top with half of sausage
-	Add all roasted red peppers, ricotta mixture, and basil

-	On lightly floured surface, unroll second package pizza crust
-	With tip of knife, cut small slits in dough
-	Place on filling, fold overhang over crust
-	Pinch edges to seal

-	From reserved trimmings, cut several leaves to decorate torta
-	Beat reserved egg white lightly with fork
-	Brush top of torta with some egg white
-	Arrange leaves on top
-	Brush with more egg white

-	Bake torta for 15 minutes
-	Cover loosely with foil
-	Bake 10 minutes longer

-	Transfer to wire rack to cool slightly
-	Serve warm or at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate torta to serve later

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