Ingredients

makes 20

　　1 1/3 cups ground almonds

　　2/3 cup superfine sugar

　　2–3 tablespoons orange-blossom water, or more

　　20 shelled walnuts or 40 walnut halves

　　2/3 cup sugar

　　

Step 1

Make a firm paste by mixing the ground almonds, superfine sugar, and orange-blossom water and kneading it with your hands. Take about 1 heaping teaspoon of the paste and press it between 2 walnut halves. Place these on an oiled surface (a marble slab, a plate, a pastry sheet will do).

　　

Step 2

Make some caramel by heating and stirring the sugar until it melts and turns a light-brown color. Pour a little over each walnut. When it is cold and hard, it will hold the walnut halves together. Place in little paper cases to serve.

　　The New Book of Middle Eastern Food Copyright © 2000Knopf