Pistachio Encrusted Cannoli

Instructions

1. SHELLS: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender or a food processor, cut shortening into flour until it resembles a coarse meal. Add the egg yoks and stir with a wooden spoon until combined (dough will not be smooth).
2. Add 6 oz of white wine and combine using wooden spoon. The goal is for the dough to be the texture of pie dough. If it is still too dry, add more wine, one tablespoon at a time , until desired consistency. You want the dough to to hold together when pinched between your fingers, like pie dough.
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or foil and allow to rest at room temperature for 4 hours.
4. Using 1 tablespoon worth of dough at a time, roll into circles/ovals until you reach 1/8 inch thickness. Wrap the dough aroudn a caonnoli form, overlapping dough and pressing to seel to create a tube. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
5. Line a few large frying pans with paper towels, set aside. In a large and deep pan, like a dutch oven, heat oil to 375°F. Use a candy or frying thermometer to prevent burning. Place a few cannoli a time (or however many fit in your pan without crowding), into the oil.
6. Fry until light golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the forms from the fryer and set on paper towels to drain. Allow to cool until able to handle and slide the shell off of the form. Cool completely before filling.
7. DIPPED ENDS: Line a baking sheet or counter top with parhcmen paper. Heat the chocolate chips in a double boiler (or microwave if you would prefer). Once the chocolate is tempered (or melted in microwave) dip ends of cannoli at an angle into the chocolate.
8. Shake slightly to remove excess chocolate and then dip into chopped pistachios, if desired. Place on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet and pop into fridge to harden. Once hardened fill with the filling.
9. FILLING: In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients until smooth and place into a large piping bag fitted with a large tip. You will need a very large tip to allow the filling to flow freely (the chocolate chips get in the way of a smaller tip).
10. Fill the cannoli shells and place back into the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them! Dust with powdered sugar, if desired!