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Fruit Salad with Nuts & Sweets - Macedonia di Frutta Secca
Adapted from Opera Lover's Cookbook (Stewart,Tabori & Chang) by Francine Segan
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Serves 8
You're going to love this a wildly flavorful mix of dried fruit and all sorts of Italian sweets, including torrone, chocolate and amaretti cookies.
Although frequently served in private homes in Italy, it isn't usually available in restaurants, so few Americans have ever tasted it. You'll love it!
1 1/2 cups assorted dried fruit*, chopped
1/4 pound candied orange peel, minced
8 to 10 amaretti cookies, crushed
1 cup assorted chopped nuts
8 ounces soft torrone, Italian nougat candy, chopped
2 ounces Italian dark chocolate, chopped
2 ounces Italian milk chocolate, chopped
2 fresh pears, peeled and diced
1/2 cup orange juice
Italian liqueur such as limoncello or amaretto
Mascarpone cheese or whipped cream, optional
In a large bowl combine the dried fruit, candied orange peel and amaretti. Mix well to coat the fruit with the amaretti crumbs. This prevents the sticky dried fruit from clumping together.
Mix in the nuts, torrone, and chocolates. Cover with plastic wrap and reserve in a cool dry place for up to 1 month.
Just before serving combine the reserved mixture with the pears and orange juice in a serving bowl. Add liqueur to taste.
Serve in wine glasses, topped with a dollop of mascarpone cheese or whipped cream, if you like.
* Be sure to include a mix of at least 3 or 4 types of dried fruit. My favorite mix, for both color and flavor, always includes dried cherries, apricots and golden raisins. Dried dates and figs are great in it too.
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