Savory Cheese Tart
To begin, we place the flour on a clean work surface and, using a spatula or our hands, mix it with ricotta, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. This mixture will form the base of our dough, which should be homogeneous and elastic. We start by combining the dry ingredients, being careful not to form lumps. Then, we begin to knead the dough, gradually adding the liquid from the ricotta until we obtain a composition that no longer sticks to our hands and feels pleasant to the touch. It is important to focus on this step, as well-kneaded dough will influence the final texture of the dish.
Once we have obtained the dough, we turn our attention to the cheese filling. In a large bowl, we put the ricotta or cottage cheese, add crumbled feta cheese, grated Parmesan, the egg, and a little flour. We mix all the ingredients with a spatula or a mixer until we obtain a uniform composition. It is essential that the cheese is well incorporated, so that each bite is full of delicious flavors and textures. Don’t forget to taste the filling and adjust the salt if necessary, according to your preferences.
Once the filling is ready, we return to our dough. We roll out the dough into a thin sheet, large enough to cover a round baking dish with a diameter of 22-24 cm. It is advisable to sprinkle a little flour on the work surface to prevent the dough from sticking. After rolling out the dough, we place it in the dish, being careful to gently lift the edge to form a border.
Now, we add the cheese filling to the dish, distributing it evenly. On top, we place strips of mortadella or another preferred cold cut, which will add a note of flavor to the dish. We continue with cubes of smoked cheese, which will provide an intense and pleasant aroma. Tomatoes, halved, are placed cut-side up, adding a contrast of color and a fresh taste. Finally, we sprinkle a little oregano to enhance the flavors.
After we finish preparing the dish, we place it in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius. Baking takes about 40-45 minutes, during which the delicious aroma will fill the entire kitchen. You will know it is ready when the dough turns golden and crispy, and the filling is well set. Once baked, let it cool slightly before cutting and enjoying!
Ingredients: Dough: * 250 g ricotta or urda * 150 g flour * 1/2 sachet baking powder (not vanilla) * salt Filling: * 250 g ricotta/urda * 100 g feta cheese * 4 tablespoons grated grana cheese, parmigiano reggiano or parmesan * 50-80 g smoked cheese * 1 egg * mortadella or other type of sausage * cherry tomatoes * oregano
