Old Family Recipes

                                          Picture by The Old School Housewife

                                          Picture by The Old School Housewife
Here are some old family recipes that I make for Easter.  They are both from Italian traditions.  The cookies above are made also for Christmas, weddings, graduations or any occasion.  This recipe is from my husband's mother and aunt.  They are Sicilian and my family is from northern Italy so I have a good combination of Italian recipes.   It's a good recipe too because it makes a lot of cookies.  The Easter Pizza on the bottom is a recipe give to me by my very good friend, Marie.  We have a Christian spiritual bond as well as a long time friendship so she is considered "family".  Both recipes are to follow. 

BISCUITS (ITALIAN COOKIES)
Preheat oven at 375 degrees
Cream Together:
1 lb. butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
Add and Beat well:
12 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
Add:
12 heaping tspns. baking powder
Add (A little at a time):
12 cups of sifted flour
Add a little more if necessary.  The dough will be right when the dough no longer sticks to your fingers.  You can use beaters in the beginning but you will need your hands to continue mixing when the dough gets stiff.
Roll into balls or any shape you want about the size of a walnut.
Bake for about 8 minutes or until at lightly golden on top.
(You can tell this was handed down by the instructions. )Enjoy!

                                           Picture by The Old School Housewife

                                          Picture by The Old School Housewife

ITALIAN HAM PIE OR EASTER PIZZA
Preheat oven at 350 degrees
Pie Crust:
Blend with pastry blender:
6 cups flour
1 cup Crisco
2 1/4 tspn. salt
4 tspns. baking powder
In another bowl Mix together:
1 1/2 cups water
6 eggs

Mix together like you would a pie crust.  Save 1/3 of the dough for the top and roll out the rest of it on a floured surface, flouring the rolling pin well, the dough will be soft.  Place dough in a 9 x 11 baking pan (if you have one a little larger, even better) over lapping the sides.

Filling:
1 lb. ham, cubed
1 lb. black ham cappacola, cubed
1 lb. muenster cheese, cubed
1 lb. brick cheese, cubed
Layer these in the pan with the crust
Mix together:
12 eggs
1 lb. whole milk ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan or any grated cheese
black pepper to taste
Pour this on top of the ham and cheese layers spreading it all over the top.  It will sink in while baking.

Roll out the last 1/3 of the dough and place it on top, sealing the sides and cut off any excess dough.  Brush an egg wash. (1 egg beaten with a little milk; you will not need the whole mixture).
Bake at 350 for about 1 hour.
Allow to get cold and set before serving.  Enjoy!