Vegetable Ricotta Cheese

Ingredients
Dough:
• 1½ C warm water
• ¼ oz or 7 gm active dry yeast
• 1 Tsp sugar
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1½ C all purpose flour
• 2 C whole wheat flour
• 1¼ Tsp salt

Filling:
• 1 Tbsp oil
• ½ Tsp yellow asafetida powder
• 2 C Bell pepper chopped
• 3 zucchinis, chopped
• 1 tomato chopped
• 1 Tsp dried basil
• ¼ Tsp ground black pepper
• ½ Tsp salt
• 1 C ricotta cheese
• 1 Tbsp oil for brushing the top

Preparation
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the water, yeast, sugar and olive oil using a wooden spoon. Add the flours and salt. Continue to stir until the ough comes together. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, for about 1½ hours.
2. While the dough is resting, prepare the filling. Heat oil in a pan over moderate heat. Sprinkle asafetida; add the bell pepper, zucchinis, tomatoes, basil, black pepper, salt and sauté until tender-crisp. Remove from heat. Cool the filling and combine with ricotta cheese. Divide into 6 portions.
3. When the dough has risen, knead it briefly. Divide into 6 equal parts. Roll each part into a disc of 6-inch diameter. Place one portion of the filling over the disc leaving a ½-in order. Moisten the edges with cold water. Fold the top of the dough over the filling to form a semicircular pastry. Seal the edges with your fingertips or use fork. Repeat for the remaining dough. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 450 F/230 C for 15-20 minutes or until the top is brown. Remove from oven to wire racks. Brush with some remaining oil on top.

Serves
4-6 Persons

By Anand Lila devi dasi