ingredients:

• 3¼ cups (290g) kataifi (~160g, adjust as needed)
• 4 tbsp (55g) butter, split (sub vegan if desired)
• ¾ cup-1 cup Pistakio Cream (start with 3/4 cup & add as needed since kataifi amount may vary)
• 3 cups large marshmallows (or 2 1/2 cups mini)
• 1½ tbsp (22ml) milk powder
• 3 tbsp (16g) cocoa powder + additional for dusting
• strawberries, dried and cut into heart-shape if desired
• oil as needed
• optional - vinyl gloves

instructions:

1. line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper and oil it. set aside.
2. chop your kataifi to small pieces. then in a pan, heat 2 tbsp of butter on low and once melted, add the kataifi and cook until fully toasted and slightly browned. stir constantly as it can easily burn!
3. remove from heat, pour into a bowl & stir in Pistakio Cream until you reach a slightly wet texture so that it is still roll-able. don't add too much, as it'll make it too runny and hard to shape!
4. freeze the mixture for 15-20 minutes or until slightly set. then scoop into 8 even balls or less if you are doing some with strawberries. in this case, wrap the kataifi mixture around each strawberry and roll into a ball. freeze again - this part is super important if you don't want a mess!!
5. in a separate bowl, sift together cocoa powder and milk powder - sifting is required.
6. for the exterior, melt the other 2 tbsp of butter in a saucepan on low heat. make sure it is deep enough because if it is too big, the marshmallows will cook too quickly.
7. add your marshmallows & stir until close to fully melted. remove from heat & quickly stir in the cocoa powder & milk powder.
8. pour onto oiled baking sheet & let cool for 10-15 minutes to avoid burning yourself. take out kataifi balls from freezer & wear your optional gloves now (or oil hands).
9. using an oiled bench scraper, divide the marshmallow mixture according to how many kataifi balls you made, sizing them accordingly (larger balls will need more marshmallow). this part can get sticky so if the bench scraper isn't working, feel free to just use your hands + some more oil.
10. stretch each piece into a circle. then wrap each kataifi ball with each piece as shown in the video. repeat!
11. dust with cocoa powder to finish. if desired, refrigerate for a firmer bite. finally, slice if you want to see the beautiful strawberry cross-section, and serve.

disclaimer: this recipe is instinct-based, especially because it is a no-bake treat—so...treat measurements as guidance, not rules.