Stuffed Dates and Walnuts

Ingredients

• 12 fresh dates
• ½ cup ground almonds
• 2 Tablespoons pistachio nuts, very finely chopped
• 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• Orange flower water (found at specialty stores)
• 24 walnut halves
• Powdered sugar, to decorate

Procedure

1. With a sharp knife, make a slit down the length of each date and carefully remove the seed.
2. In a bowl, mix together the ground almonds, chopped pistachio nuts, and granulated sugar.
3. Add enough orange flower water to make a smooth paste.
4. Shape half of the paste into 12 nuggets the size of date seeds and use to stuff the dates.
5. Use the remaining paste to sandwich the walnut halves together in pairs.
6. Sift a little powdered sugar over the stuffed dates and walnuts. Serves best with rich coffee.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.