| p>Well, at our last get together, we were walking | | | | An Easy Cannoli Filling: |
| down streets lined with Cannoli. Our senses were | | | | 2 lbs of Ricotta (must be dry- drain off liquid) |
| alive with the sights and aromas of the various | | | | 2 (8 oz) pkgs. Cream Cheese |
| colors and flavors of this Italian Dessert. We | | | | 1 cup confectioner's sugar |
| talked about the history of this dessert as well as | | | | 2 tsp cinnamon oil |
| some of the enhancements of the creamy, | | | | 1 tsp vanilla |
| sweet filling. Now, we will provide recipes. | | | | 2 oz miniature bittersweet chocolate morsels |
| Italian Cannoli Shells: | | | | Dash of orange flavoring |
| - 2 cups flour | | | | - Mix the cream cheese until very creamy. |
| - 2 tbsp shortening | | | | - Mix the Ricotta vigorously for approximately 2 |
| - 1 tsp sugar | | | | minutes. |
| - 1/4 tsp salt | | | | - Combine the cheeses; add the sugar, cinnamon |
| - 3/4 cup Marsala, Burgundy or Chablis wine | | | | oil, both flavorings and the chocolate pieces. |
| - Mix the flour, shortening, sugar and salt | | | | - Chill this mixture for a minimum of ½ hour |
| together; slowly add the wine. | | | | before filling the shells. |
| - Using your fingers, knead the mixture until it can | | | | - This mixture will keep in the refrigerator for a |
| be formed into a hard dough ball. | | | | minimum of 3 days. |
| - Cover the dough ball with a cloth or tea towel | | | | Now for the more difficult, but more traditional |
| and let it rest for about one hour. | | | | filling for this Italian Dessert - The Real Thing: |
| - Divide the dough ball in half and roll out to ¼ | | | | - 2 lbs Impastata (this is a high quality Ricotta with |
| inch thickness or less. | | | | less moisture - or drain the liquid off the regular |
| - Divide the rolled out dough into 4-inch squares. | | | | Ricotta overnight) |
| - Put a metal tube or cylinder diagonally across | | | | - 1 lb confectioner's sugar |
| each of the 4-inch squares. Put the metal tube or | | | | - 2 drops cinnamon oil |
| cylinder from one diagonal point to the other | | | | - ½ cup chocolate chips |
| diagonal point. | | | | - 3 tbsp chopped Hazelnuts |
| - Wrap the dough around the cylinder or tube and | | | | - 2n tsp vanilla |
| overlap the other two points. Seal these points | | | | Mix all ingredients and beat until creamy. Fill the |
| with egg white. | | | | shells. |
| - Meanwhile, prepare a large deep pan that is | | | | Whipped cream can be folded into either of the |
| suitable for deep frying by filling with vegetable oil | | | | mixtures just before you are ready to fill the |
| deep enough to allow the Cannoli shells to float. | | | | shells for an added special treat. |
| - Deep fry one or two shells at a time until golden | | | | Once you've made one of the above recipes, |
| brown on all sides. | | | | then you'll know what changes you can make to |
| - Remove shells from oil, slide tube out and drain | | | | create your own version of the filling. Have fun |
| on paper towels. | | | | with it! The varieties are endless! |