Almond Sesame Pastries

Description
CRISP ALMOND AND SESAME PASTRIES.- (Samsa-) Tunisia makes about 24

Ingredients

 * 2/3 cup sugar
 * 1 1/4 cup water
 * 1 tablespoon lemon juice
 * orange-flower water
 * 1 1/2 cups blanched almonds, lightly toasted and ground
 * 1 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
 * 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, if liked
 * about 4 oz filo pastry
 * olive oil, for brushing
 * lightly toasted sesame seeds for sprinkling

Directions

 * 1) Put the water and 1/2 cup of the sugar in a saucepan and heat gently, stirring until dissolved.
 * 2) Add the lemon juice and boiluntil syrupy.
 * 3) Remove from the heat and add the orange-flower water.Leave to cool.
 * 4) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
 * 5) In a mixing bowl,stir together the ground almonds, orange zest, cinnamon if usingand remaining sugar, then knead together the ingredients.
 * 6) Brush one sheet of filo with olive oil, keep the other sheetscovered with a damp cloth. Cut the oiled sheet into 3 lengthwisestrips. Place a small spoonful of filling at the bottom of eachstrip.
 * 7) Fold the sides over the filling then roll the pastry up along thelength.
 * 8) Brush inside the end of the pastry with oil and seal itto the roll.
 * 9) Brush with oil and put on a baking sheet.
 * 10) Repeat with the remaining pastry and filling.
 * 11) Bake the pastries for 15-20minutes until crisp and golden.
 * 12) Lower the pastries a few at a time into the hot syrup, leave forabout 3 minutes so the syrup enetrates the pastries.
 * 13) The removeto a plate and sprinkle generously with sesame seeds.
 * 14) Leave until cold before serving.