CANNOLI NUTS RECIPES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar and cinnamon. Cut in the shortening until it is in pieces no larger than peas. Make a well in the center, and pour in the egg, egg yolk, Marsala wine, vinegar and water. Mix with a fork until the dough becomes stiff, then finish it by hand, kneading on a clean surface. Add a bit more water if needed to incorporate all of the dry ingredients. Knead for about 10 minutes, then cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Divide the cannoli dough into thirds, and flatten each one just enough to get through the pasta machine. Roll the dough through successively thinner settings until you have reached the thinnest setting. Dust lightly with flour if necessary. Place the sheet of dough on a lightly floured surface. Using a form or large glass or bowl, cut out 4 to 5 inch circles. Dust the circles with a light coating of flour. This will help you later in removing the shells from the tubes. Roll dough around cannoli tubes, sealing the edge with a bit of egg white.
• Heat the oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) in a deep-fryer or deep heavy skillet. Fry shells on the tubes a few at a time for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden. Use tongs to turn as needed. Carefully remove using the tongs, and place on a cooling rack set over paper towels. Cool just long enough that you can handle the tubes, then carefully twist the tube to remove the shell. Using a tea towel may help you get a better grip. Wash or wipe off the tubes, and use them for more shells. Cooled shells can be placed in an airtight container and kept for up to 2 months. You should only fill them immediately or up to 1 hours before serving.
• To make the filling, stir together the ricotta cheese and confectioners' sugar using a spoon. Fold in lemon zest and chocolate. Use a pastry bag to pipe into shells, filling from the center to one end, then doing the same from the other side. Dust with additional confectioners' sugar and grated chocolate for garnish when serving.

Steps:

• Prepare the Florentines:Preheat oven to 300°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place pistachios and ¼ cup of the sugar in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely ground.
• Combine cream, butter, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high; bring to a boil, stirring often. Remove pan from heat; stir in ground pistachio mixture, flour, and vanilla, stirring until a smooth paste forms. Working in batches, spoon tablespoonfuls of the mixture 3 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper (you should have 6 cookies per sheet).
• Bake until bubbly and browned, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool on pans 3 to 4 minutes. While still warm, remove cookies from pans with an offset spatula, and shape each cookie around the handle of wooden spoon (or a cannoli mold if you have one). If cookies get too firm before shaping, return to oven for 1 minute to soften. Let cookies cool until set, about 5 minutes. Gently slide off spoon, and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Let baking sheets cool then repeat with remaining dough.
• Prepare the Filling: Beat cream, powdered sugar, and salt in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Stir together ricotta, lime zest, and lime juice in a large bowl. Stir one-third of whipped cream into ricotta mixture; gently fold in remaining whipped cream. Cover and chill until ready to use.
• To assemble cannoli, fill cannoli shells with ricotta mixture. Dip ends of cannoli in finely chopped pistachios. Serve immediately.