Pastaciotti Aka Pusties Recipes

PUSTIES PASTACIOTTI RECIPE

Steps:

• You will need special tins, they have fluted edges. Try online and search for pustie tins. You will need 12 large fluted pusty tins or 24 small. Silicone molded tins work great also.
• Mix crust ingredients in a large bowl, careful not to work the dough too long, a mixer master with a flat beater works great ( if the dough doesn't come together add 1 teaspoon more of water at a time. Spray each tin or silicone tart with oil spray for easier release when using metal or even silicone molds.
• Roll dough 1/2 inch thick (not to thin) I break 24 pieces of dough evenly up so I have enough tops and bottoms. Roll out, pat down in each tin. Save scraps. Brush insides edge with an egg wash using whites or the whole egg has beaten that is the glue to seal the edges.
• Roll out remaining dough and cut into rounds to fit for the tops of each tin.
• Place cooled filling in each pastry-lined fluted pustie tin pan and cover each with a round of dough.
• Paint top of pusties with beaten egg yolk before baking crimp edges with a finger or a fork.
• Bake in preheated 400-degree oven for 20 minutes or until lightly brown on top ovens vary, sometimes as long as 35 minutes. Cool a few minutes, if they look like they stuck around the edges, take a knife to loosen, pop out of the tins onto wax paper and cool before completely flipping right side up.
• Fillings:
• Homemade pudding below is what I use however you can make packaged pudding below.
• For the Chocolate boxed: use chocolate cooking pudding and add only 1 1/2 cups of milk to a box which is thicker and works well. You will need two boxes for the whole recipe. Chocolate or Vanilla or both.
• For the Vanilla boxed: Add two egg yolks to a box of cooking Vanilla pudding with the 1 1/2 cups of milk and for added flavor a teaspoon of vanilla extract after thickened. This makes a richer pudding.
• Another variation is to add raspberry jam on the bottom and 1 teaspoon of almond paste on the top, add a little vanilla pudding cooked on top.
• Also, Lemon cooked pudding could be used and as above directions decrease the water to make a thicker pudding by a half cup to package directions.
• Any pie filling can be used or even pumpkin pie filling for other variations.
• Homemade chocolate pudding version and this pastry cream is what I use below:
• Chocolate Homemade Pastry Filling:
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 3 heaping tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 squares (1 ounce each) chocolate, unsweetened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Vanilla Homemade Pastry Filling:
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 cups milk
• 3 egg yolks, beaten well
• 2 teaspoons vanilla or rum
• Place sugar and flour in a saucepan. Slowly whisk in milk and egg yolks to incorporate and make smooth. Cook until thick, stirring frequently. Cool, then add vanilla or rum.

PASTICIOTTI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and 1 cup of sugar. Cut in margarine by pinching between your fingers, or using a pastry blender, until the mixture has lumps no larger than small peas. Make a well in the center, and pour in the eggs, 1/2 cup milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Stir until the mixture comes together, then knead for about 5 turns on a lightly floured surface.
• Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Grease two 12 cup muffin tins or tart pans. Cut out 20 circles using a 3 inch cookie cutter or drinking glass. Line the muffin cups with the dough. Set aside the remaining dough to cut out tops for the cups.
• In the top of a double boiler, or in a metal bowl set atop a saucepan of simmering water, whisk together the cornstarch and 3/4 cup sugar. Gradually whisk in 3 of the egg yolks, and 1quart milk. Heat, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbling. Remove from the heat, and stir in the butter and 1 teaspoon of vanilla until the butter is melted.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Fill the pastry shells half way with the vanilla cream. Roll out remaining dough, and cut into circles for lids. Place over the top of the pastry shells, and seal the edges by pressing with the tines of a fork. Whisk the remaining egg yolk with a fork, and brush the tops of the pastry cups.
• Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Let cool in the tins before carefully loosening the edges to remove. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

PASTICIOTTI OR PASTA CIOTTI

Steps:

• Dough:
• Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.
• Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
• Add the milk, vanilla, and egg and use your hands to mix the ingredients into a smooth ball of dough.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and set aside.
• Filling:
• In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch and sugar, making sure there are no lumps.
• Gradually whisk in the milk.
• Add the butter, place the saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thickened.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the egg yolk and almond extract. Set the custard aside.
• To Assemble and Bake:
• Divide the dough in half.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece into an 11-inch circle, about 1/4-inch thick.
• Using a 3-inch fluted biscuit cutter, cut out circles of dough and press each one into the bottom and up the sides of 3 x 1 1/4-inch tart pans.
• Reroll the scraps and cut out additional circles. You should have 12 tart shells.
• Place the tart pans on a cookie sheet. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling into each tart shell.
• Roll out the second piece of dough and cut out 3-inch circles. Place a circle over each tart and pinch the edges closed.
• With a pastry brush, paint the top of each tart with the egg wash. Refrigerate the tarts for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees . Bake the tarts on the middle oven rack for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Remove the tarts to racks and let cool completely.
• Carefully remove the tarts from the pans. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• .

PASTA WITH PROSCIUTTO AND WHOLE GARLIC

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Combine the oil, garlic, and ham in a medium to large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the garlic becomes deep golden, nearly brown, all over, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Core and chop the plum tomatoes (or crush the canned tomatoes) and add them, along with salt and pepper, to the skillet. Stir and simmer while you salt the boiling water and cook the pasta.
• Drain the pasta when it is tender but firm, reserving a little of the cooking water and adding it to the sauce if it appears dry (quite likely if you used fresh tomatoes). Toss the pasta with the sauce and most of the basil, along with the cheese. Mince the remaining basil, garnish the pasta with it, and serve.