Nut-Stuffed Semolina Pastries, Cyprus Style
desserts, low-cal
1 karen mintzias
1/4 lb sweet butter
1 1/4 cup fine semolina
1 orange flower water
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoon warm water (more if needed)
1 cup chopped unsalted pistachios
4 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 confectioners' sugar
In a small, heavy saucepan, bring the butter to bubbling over medium heat and stir in the fine semolina. Transfer to a small bowl, cover, and let stand overnight at room temperature. The next day, uncover and add 2 teaspoons orange flower water, the salt, and gradually the warm water, working with your fingers to make a firm dough. Knead for 5 minutes, then cover and let rest 1 hour. Meanwhile, combine the pistachios, sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Break off pieces of dough slightly larger in size than a walnut. Work in your fingers to form a ball. Press the center with your thumb to make a large well and fill with 1 teaspoon of the nut mixture, then cover over with dough and shape into an oval. Set on a cookie sheet and continue untilall pastries are shaped. Bake in a moderate oven (350 F) for 30 to 35 minutes or until the yellow color has become a light, not a deep, chestnut.Remove to racks and cool for 10 minutes, then dip quickly into orange flower water and roll in confectioners' sugar. Cool before storing. Note: You may substitute blanched almonds for the pistachios and peanut oilfor the butter. From: "The Food of Greece" by Vilma Liacouras Chantiles. Avenel Books, NewYork. Typed for you by Karen Mintzias
Yield: 30 servings
