Easter is a time for family, fun, and of course, food! One traditional dish that many families serve during this time is the Easter Wheat Pie. This delicious and hearty pie is made with wheat berries, ricotta cheese, and a variety of other ingredients to create a savory and satisfying dish that everyone will love. Whether you’re looking for a classic recipe or a modern twist on this traditional dish, we’ve got you covered.
Classic Easter Wheat Pie Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups wheat berries
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped candied orange peel
- 1/4 cup chopped candied citron
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 pie crust
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Rinse the wheat berries and place them in a pot with 4 cups of water and salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 45-60 minutes, or until the wheat berries are tender.
- Drain the wheat berries and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the sugar, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, raisins, candied orange peel, candied citron, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the bowl with the wheat berries. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the pie crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
- Let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 408
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Protein: 12g
- Sugar: 22g
Cooking Time:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Equipment:
- Large pot
- Mixing bowl
- 9-inch pie dish
- Oven
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream
- Serve with a cup of coffee or tea
Variations:
- Substitute the wheat berries with cooked rice or quinoa
- Replace the candied fruit with dried cranberries or apricots
- Use different types of nuts or omit them altogether
- Add a tablespoon of rum or brandy to the filling for an extra kick
Substitutions:
- Use cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese
- Use white sugar instead of brown sugar
- Use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate
- Use a homemade or store-bought pie crust
Storage:
- Store leftover pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving
Tips:
- Make sure to rinse the wheat berries before cooking to remove any dirt or debris
- Don’t overcook the wheat berries as they will become mushy
- Let the pie cool completely before slicing to prevent it from falling apart
- Top with additional chopped nuts or chocolate shavings for a decorative touch
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make this pie ahead of time?
- Can I freeze this pie?
Yes, you can make the filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before pouring it into the pie crust.
Yes, you can freeze this pie for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Modern Easter Wheat Pie Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups wheat berries
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup mashed banana
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/4 cup chopped dates
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
- 1/4 cup chopped cashews
- 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp cardamom
- 1 pie crust
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Rinse the wheat berries and place them in a pot with 4 cups of water and salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 45-60 minutes, or until the wheat berries are tender.
- Drain the wheat berries and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the honey, almond butter, mashed banana, eggs, apricots, dates, almonds, cashews, dark chocolate, ginger, and cardamom to the bowl with the wheat berries. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the pie crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
- Let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 414
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Protein: 11g
- Sugar: 28g
Cooking Time:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Equipment:
- Large pot
- Mixing bowl
- 9-inch pie dish
- Oven
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or Greek yogurt
- Serve with a cup of hot tea or coffee
Variations:
- Replace the almond butter with peanut or cashew butter
- Use different types of dried fruit or omit them altogether
- Use different types of nuts or omit them altogether
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract to the filling for extra flavor
Substitutions: