Torta Della Nonna

Ingredients

• 500 g flour
• 5 egg yolks
• 1 orange, zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups butter, unsalted
• 200 g caster sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Filling

• 4 egg yolks
• 180 g sugar
• 60 g flour
• 500 ml milk
• 300 g ricotta cheese

Directions

1. 1

   Prepare pastry for the crust by mixing all ingredients in food processes until just combined. Chill dough for 1 hour in the refrigerator.

2. 2

   Prepare the filling by lightly whisking the yolks and sugar, then sift in flour, mixing carefully to keep lumps from forming. Add milk in a thin stream, stirring gently.

3. 3

   Once mixture is smooth, gently heat it, while stirring carefully, until it begins to thicken. Once it reaches a very slow boil, count to 120 while stirring gently and it is done.

4. 4

   Transfer mixture into a bowl and let it cool throughly. Mix ricotta into it.

5. 5

   Preheat oven to 180°C.

6. 6

   Roll out dough and use half of it to line a 10 inch fluted pie dish. Pour mixture into the pan and cover with remaining rolled pastry, sealing edges down firmly.

7. 7

   Decorate by whisking egg white and bushing it over the top of the pastry and scatter almonds over it. Bake for approximately 1 hour, let it cool and serve.