Ingredients
Method
Make the Pastry Dough
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Add the cold butter and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Make a well in the center and add the egg yolks and whole egg. Mix with a fork, then bring the dough together with your hands. Don't overwork it or the crust will turn tough.
- Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap it, and chill for 40 minutes.
Cook the Wheat and Make the Filling
- While the dough chills, combine the cooked wheat berries, milk, 20g butter and lemon zest in a 2-quart / 1.9L saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until thick and creamy like porridge. Cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, beat the drained ricotta with 200g sugar until smooth with no lumps, about 2 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Fold in the cooled wheat mixture, candied orange and citron peel, orange blossom water, cinnamon and a pinch of salt until evenly combined.
Assemble and Bake
- Heat the oven to 170 C / 340 F. Grease a 25 cm / 10-inch springform or tart pan.
- Roll out two-thirds of the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 4mm thick. Line the pan, pressing it up the sides, and trim the excess.
- Pour in the ricotta filling and smooth the top.
- Roll the remaining dough and cut into 8 to 10 strips about 1.5cm wide. Lay them across the filling in a lattice pattern, pressing the ends into the crust edge.
- Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, until the lattice is deep golden and the center looks set with just a slight jiggle, similar to a baked cheesecake.
- Cool completely in the pan on a rack, at least 3 hours, before unmolding. For the best flavor, let it sit at room temperature overnight before slicing.
Notes
- Drain ricotta overnight for a filling that isn't watery.
- Chill pastry dough a full 40 minutes before rolling.
- Rest the baked tart at room temp overnight before slicing.
- Use grano cotto if available, it saves hours of cooking wheat berries.
