easy peasey summer dish!

we had a beachouse on 40th south st on brigantine island growing up. well, not 'we' as in my family. 'we' as in my grandparents. it was built in 1958, small, had no ac or washing machine. but it is where we spent the summer every year.

a few years back i found this old postcard from 'the sandpiper motel' on ebay and snagged it up (it was right down on 51st). i love the the lady in the blue bikini on the left hand photo has a scarf or plastic hat tied around her head!

our food at the beachouse was  always simple, but delicious! and if possible, made earlier in the day before the heat creeped up. here is a receipe that i love to make in the morning, let cool and eat cold for dinner.

ricotta pie

(aka torta rustica)

pie crust (you can make your own, but getting one from smiths in the cold section will work. trust me) top and bottom layers.

5 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup grated pecorino

1 lb ricotta, drained (never get anything but full fat. the skim isnt ever as good!)

1 cup salami (or ham if your kids complain that it is too spicey. im raising wussies), cut into 1/2" cubes

1 cup shredded mozzarella

1/2 t ground pepper

2 T chopped parsley

preheat your oven to 400.

in large bowl, mix all the filling ingredients EXCEPT 1T of the egg and 1T of the pecorino cheese.  line a large pie plate with the crust, allowing for a 1" overhang. put filling in and put the 'lid' on the pie. seal top and bottom layers and cut slits for venting. brush the egg on the top and sprinkle the cheese evenly.

bake for 10 minutes, then REDUCE THE HEAT TO 350 (leave the pie in) and bake for another hour.

serve hot or cold (i perfer cold inthe summer) with some gravy on the side.

oh-a little ps for all of you! bradley cooper's grandparents lived on the island! sad-i cant say that i knew him way back then.