Ham and Cheese Torta (quiche)

1- deep dish pie crust
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 Tbsp flour
4 eggs
8 ounces sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 to 1 teaspoon black pepper
dash Tabasco
4 ounces (about 1 cup) minced or chopped ham
8 ounces (about 2 cups) grated cheese, preferably Swiss or sharp cheddar.

Heat oven to 450
Beat ricotta cheese and flour with an electric mixer for 15-30 sec to smooth it out. Add eggs and beat just until evenly blended. Add sour cream, salt, pepper, Tabasco, ham and half the cheese. Beat just enough to blend ingredients.
Sprinkle half the remaining grated cheese into the bottom of the pie crust. Pour in the ham filling and sprinkle with remaining cheese (also sprinkle with paprika, if you like). Place the quiche into the oven and reduce the heat to 350 deg. Bake 30 minutes or until the filling is set (more like 50)
Serves 6 to 8. Serve with green salad, asparagus or green beans.
"The Fast Lane" CJ-10April02