Cheese and grape pie

Cheese and Grape Pie: a delicious recipe that combines the sweetness of fruits with the creaminess of cheese, offering a delightful and aromatic dessert. This recipe is perfect for serving at a festive meal or simply as a savory snack during the day. Here’s how you can prepare this treat step by step.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Number of servings: 8

Ingredients for the dough:
- 500 g flour
- 150 g lard
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 50 ml cold water
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of baking powder
- Grated zest of one lemon

Ingredients for the filling:
- 300 g cottage cheese
- 3 eggs
- 100 g sugar
- Juice of one lemon
- 1 tablespoon flour

Ingredients for decoration:
- Fresh grapes
- 1 packet of clear jelly
- 200 ml water

Preparation:

Step 1: Preparing the dough
1. In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and lemon zest. Mix the dry ingredients well to combine evenly.
2. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the cold lard cut into cubes, the egg yolk, and the cold water.
3. Start kneading the dough with your hands, mixing the ingredients until you achieve a smooth and elastic consistency. If necessary, you can add a little water or flour to improve the texture of the dough.
4. Once the dough is well kneaded, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step is essential for achieving a flaky dough.

Step 2: Preparing the filling
5. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture becomes frothy. Add the cottage cheese, lemon juice, and flour, continuing to mix well until you obtain a smooth mixture.

Step 3: Assembling the pie
6. After the dough has chilled, roll it out on a floured surface, forming a thin sheet. Place the dough sheet in a baking dish lined with parchment paper, ensuring that the dough covers the edges well.
7. With the remaining dough, you can create decorative strips to place around the edge of the pie, giving it a rustic and pleasant appearance.
8. Pour the cheese filling into the dish, taking care to distribute it evenly.

Step 4: Baking
9. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and place the pie inside. Let it bake for 40 minutes or until it is beautifully golden at the edges. A trick to check if it is done is to insert a knife in the middle; if it comes out clean, the pie is ready.

Step 5: Decorating and serving
10. After the pie has cooled, decorate it with fresh grapes on top. Prepare the jelly according to the instructions on the packet, using the 200 ml of water, and carefully pour it over the grapes, ensuring it is evenly distributed. Let the jelly cool and set.
11. Once the jelly is set, the pie is ready to serve. Cut generous portions and enjoy the delicious combination of creamy cheese and sweet grapes.

Useful tips:
- Ingredients: Make sure the cottage cheese is well-drained to avoid a too-wet filling. If you don’t have cottage cheese, you can use ricotta or mascarpone for a different texture.
- Variations: You can also add other seasonal fruits, such as peaches or apples, to diversify the flavor of the pie.
- Serving: This pie pairs perfectly with a scoop of Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream. A glass of white wine or a fruit tea will complement the meal perfectly.

Nutritional benefits:
- Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium, making it ideal for a balanced diet.
- Grapes are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, providing benefits for heart and skin health.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of white flour?
Yes, you can replace part of the white flour with whole wheat flour, but the dough will have a different texture and will require more water.

2. Can I prepare the pie a day in advance?
Absolutely! The pie keeps well in the refrigerator and will have time for the flavors to meld. Make sure to reheat it slightly before serving.

3. How can I avoid the dough becoming too wet?
Make sure to use well-drained cottage cheese and follow the ingredient proportions. If the filling seems too wet, you can add an extra tablespoon of flour.

4. What other fruits could I use?
You can experiment with apples, pears, or even berries, which combine excellently with cottage cheese.

This cheese and grape pie is more than just a simple dessert; it is an explosion of flavors and textures that will bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. Try it and let yourself be carried away by sweet memories and unforgettable moments with every bite!