Mom's Pizzagaina

 Crust:

4 eggs, divided 

 3/4 cup Crisco 

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 cups flour, plus for rolling

1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash

Filling:

5 large eggs

1/4 cup grated Romano cheese

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 pound ricotta cheese

1/2 pound ham, shredded or sliced

To make the crust: With a stand mixer, beat three of the eggs. Add flour, baking powder and Crisco and mix into dough. 

You can add more flour if it’s too soft.

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 pound ricotta cheese

1/2 pound ham, shredded or sliced

Crust: Hand mixer, beat 3 eggs. add the flour, baking powder, Crisco and mix into dough. You might need more flour if too soft.  

Using wax paper dusted with flour, roll out dough to 1/8- to 1/4-inch thickness to line a 9-inch cake pan. Make long 1-inch strips with the rest of the dough. Chill while you make the filling.

Filling: Beat eggs, pepper and Romano together. Blend in ricotta and ham.

Pour mixture in the dough-lined cake pan. Use remaining dough to make strips that criss-cross top of mixture.

Whisk remaining egg and milk together in a wash. Brush it over all the crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until a knife comes out clean.