Date Charlotte

Tastes of Tunisia  Date Charlotte

 * Serves 8 to 10

Ingredients

 * 1 cup dates
 * juice of 1 orange
 * 1½ cup water
 * 3 tbsp honey
 * 1 tbsp gelatin
 * 2 cups heavy cream
 * ½ cup chopped almonds
 * 2 tbsp sliced almonds
 * 2 chopped dates
 * grated peel of ½ orange

Directions

 * 1) Remove the pits from the dates.
 * 2) Cut them into quarters and set aside.
 * 3) Squeeze the orange juice into a saucepan.
 * 4) Add the water and honey.
 * 5) Sprinkle the gelatin onto the mixture.
 * 6) When it dissolves, stir briefly and add the quartered dates.
 * 7) Bring to boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered for 30 minutes. Cool.
 * 8) Strain the mixture and reserve the liquid.
 * 9) Whip the cream until it stand in peaks.
 * 10) Add the almonds to the date liquid and gently fold into the cream.
 * 11) Spoon into a two-quart serving dish.
 * 12) Decorate the charlotte with the sliced almonds, chopped dates and grated orange peel.
 * 13) Chill in the refrigerator for 2 or more hours before serving.