Recipe Spotlight: Italian Easter Pie

In honor of my Italian family members who have supported my attempts at blogging, and my Italian grandmother Madeline who supported my love of travel and youthful attempts at cooking (hello, BBQ tuna sandwiches and fat-free cheesecake), my first "Recipe Spotlight" is Italian Easter Pie; it's perfect to serve at your Easter gathering and is delizioso!

The only thing missing from our traditional Italian family recipe is a grandmother hovering over you at the kitchen table, urging you to have a second piece and yelling "Mangia!" while simultaneously cleaning up the kitchen and planning what to serve for breakfast the next day...or does that only happen in my Italian family?

Crust:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt 
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 2 tablespoons shortening 
• 2 eggs slightly beaten with 2 tablespoons water

Filling:

• 1 cup bulk cooked Italian sausage (hot sausage is recommended)
• 3 cups ricotta cheese 
• 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheese
• 4 beaten eggs

Mix filling and set aside while preparing crust.

Combine flour, salt, margarine, and shortening and mix well, then add eggs and water.  Combine together like pie crust.  Divide into 2 and form into balls.

Roll the first dough ball into a rectangle large enough to fit in the bottom and halfway up the side of a 9x13 baking dish.

Prepare filling and put over bottom crust.  Roll second ball and place over the top of the filling.  Seal edges of both crusts together.

Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes.