---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02
 
       Title: CUSCUSU DI PISTACHI
  Categories: Desserts, Nuts, Italian
       Yield: 10 servings
 
 ----------------------------FOR SEALING THE 
 PAN----------------------------
       1 c  All-purpose flour                 1/2 c  Water
 
 ----------------------------------COUSCOUS-------------------------------=
 ---
       1 c  Couscous, not instant               3 c  Water
 
 --------------------------FLAVORING & 2ND 
 STEAMING--------------------------
       1 tb Water                               1 ts Almond extract
     1/2 ts Salt                                1 ts Cinnamon
   1 1/2 c  Shelled green pistachios          1/4 c  Almond oil
            - unsalted and very green                -=OR=- Mild 
 vegetable oil
 
 ---------------------------------FINISHING-------------------------------=
 --
     1/2 c  Sugar                                    - finely grated
       2 tb Water                                    Candied cherries
     1/4 c  Confectioners' sugar                     -=OR=- Other 
 Candied Fruit
       1 oz Semisweet chocolate                      - (to garnish)
 
   Couscous is normally a savory dish found in Morocco. This unusual 
 dessert
   version is the specialty of a small convent in Sicily.
  
   FIRST PREPARE THE PAN for steaming the couscous: For the sealing 
 dough, mix
   the flour and water together in a bowl and scrape onto a floured work
   surface. Knead briefly to form a rough, sticky dough, adding a 
 tablespoon
   or 2 of flour if necessary. Roll into a rope as long as the 
 circumference
   of the bottom pan and apply the dough to the rim of the pan. Add water 
 to
   the pan so that the water is below the bottom of the couscousiere or
   colander and press the couscousiere into place. Bring the water to a 
 boil
   on high heat, until steam is escaping freely through the perforations, 
 then
   lower to a simmer, so that the steam escapes very gently. While the 
 water
   is coming to a boil, prepare the couscous to be cooked: Place the 
 grain in
   a bowl and add the water. Swish the water through the grain with the
   fingers of one hand splayed apart, “raking” through it. Tilt the bowl 
 and
   drain away excess water. Set aside for 5 minutes. Line the 
 couscousiere
   with a dampened napkin or cheesecloth and add the grain. Cover and 
 steam 15
   minutes. While the grain is cooking, prepare the flavoring. Half fill 
 a
   saucepan with water and add the pistachios. Bring to a boil; drain in 
 a
   strainer. Pour the pistachios onto a towel, fold the towel over them 
 and
   rub to loosen skins. Separate pistachios from skins, going over them
   carefully. Combine the freshly blanched pistachios, extract and 
 cinnamon in
   a food processor bowl and process for 2-3 minutes, until very finely 
 ground
   and starting to become pasty. Add the oil, 1 tablespoon at a time, and
   continue processing mixture to a smooth paste, stopping the machine 
 and
   scraping the inside of the bowl 3-or-4 times. Reserve pistachio paste.
   After the couscous has steamed 15 minutes, remove it from the 
 couscousiere
   in the cheesecloth and put it in a large, non-reactive roasting pan. 
 Spread
   it out with a fork and let cool. Combine the salt and water and work 
 it
   into the cooled couscous, raking it through with 1 hand. Add the 
 pistachio
   paste in 3-or-4 additions, working it in by rubbing it and the 
 couscous
   together with the fingertips. Return the water in the bottom pan to a
   simmer, and line the couscousiere again with the dampened cheesecloth. 
 Add
   the seasoned couscous to the couscousiere, cover and steam 15 minutes.
   Remove the couscous to the roasting pan, spread out with a fork, 
 without
   compressing the mixture, and leave uncovered until cool. To finish the
   couscous, bring the sugar and water to a boil, stirring to dissolve 
 all
   sugar granules, and cool the syrup. Work the cooled couscous between 
 the
   palms of the hands again to separate the grains and toss in the syrup 
 in
   5-or-6 additions, fluffing the couscous with a fork. Allow the 
 couscous to
   dry uncovered, several hours, in a cool place, fluffing it with a fork
   occasionally, until all the grains are separate. For advance 
 preparation,
   cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to several days. To
   serve, fluff up with a fork so the grains separate well and mound the
   couscous on a platter. Sprinkle the couscous evenly with the grated
   chocolate, then the confectioners' sugar. Decorate with no more than 
 5-or-6
   pieces of the candied fruit.
 
 -----

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