Cannoli

Ingredients and Weight:

• Shells: 8 ready-made cannoli shells (available at supermarkets in the United States)
• Ricotta Cheese Filling:
  • 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips or cocoa nibs (optional)
• Toppings:
  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting
  • Ground cinnamon for seasoning (optional)

Preparation Time:

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes (excluding the time to make the cannoli shells)
• Cooking Time: None (as the cannoli shells are pre-made and the filling is simply combined)

Difficulty Level: Easy (level 1)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the ricotta cheese filling. Mix well and set aside.
2. Take each cannoli shell and stuff it with the ricotta cheese filling using a spoon or piping bag. Be careful not to overfill the shells.
3. Once all the cannoli are filled, dust them with confectioners' sugar. If desired, sprinkle with a little ground cinnamon.
4. Serve immediately. Cannoli are best enjoyed fresh.

Nutritional Information: (per serving, assuming no additional oil or salt used during preparation) Calories: Approx. 300-350 per cannoli (depending on the exact ingredients used) Fat: Approx. 20-25g Carbohydrates: Approx. 30-40g Protein: Approx. 8-12g (Note: Nutritional information may vary based on the specific brands of ingredients used.)

Dish Characteristics:

• Traditional Italian dessert
• Light and airy texture with a sweet, creamy flavor
• Chocolate chips or cocoa nibs add a rich chocolate note to the classic flavor

User Comments:

1. "These were so delicious! The perfect balance of sweet and creamy." - John Doe
2. "Love the classic Italian flavor and the simplicity of this dessert." - Jane Smith
3. "The chocolate addition was a great surprise! Highly recommended." - Michael Johnson

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Be careful not to overfill the cannoli shells as they may split during eating.
• Use fresh whole milk ricotta cheese for the best flavor and texture in the filling.
• If desired, you can find mini cannoli shells for easier handling and portion control.