Method:

1. For the pastry, mix the flour and lard together in a large mixing bowl, then add all the other ingredients and form the dough. Alternatively (if using butter), combine the flour and butter in a food processor until they resemble breadcrumbs, then add the remaining ingredients to form a dough. Cover with plastic wrap and rest for 1 hour.
2. Set up a pasta machine, divide the dough into four portions and roll each through the machine, adjusting the settings until the dough is 1 mm thick.
   Lay the sheets on a lightly floured surface and cut circle shapes (by hand) to 10 cm in diameter. Brush the edges with the beaten egg and wrap over a cannoli mould.
3. Pour canola oil into a small saucepan until it’s one-third full and place over a medium–high heat until the oil is 180°C. Drop a small piece of dough into the hot oil to test if it’s ready – if it turns a golden colour straight away, the oil is hot enough. Deep-fry each cannoli for 30 seconds. Drain on a paper towel and remove the moulds.

Custard

1. For the custard, whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until thick and pale. Add the cornflour and a dash of milk and continue mixing until well combined, then add the remaining milk.
2. Add the vanilla bean and seeds to the mixture, pour it into a medium saucepan and cook over a low–medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Once the custard has cooked, remove the vanilla bean.
3. Cool the custard. Once cooled, pour into a piping bag with a 2 cm nozzle and pipe into the cannoli shells. Dust with icing sugar and serve.

Our friends at Wine Selectors suggest pairing this dish with a Botrytis Viognier.