So delicious… and even though it looks like a complicated thing to make it’s quite simple…unless of course you decide to make the filo pastry yourself… but we don’t make that kind of mistake in this blog 😉

I hadn’t tried this before because I’ve read that working with filo pastry was quite complicated as it dries out very quickly and crackles. However, after making my first ever strudel I can say, filo is not as hard to work with as it might seem.

The key is to have everything ready before you spread your filo pastry on the counter, because you are going to have to work fast, but if you have all the ingredients around you, it goes like a breeze. In 15 minutes you have the strudel ready and after 45 minutes in the oven you have a glorious dessert that smells like apple Heaven.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

4 sheets of filo pastry

2 Gala apples

30 grs butter, melted. (you could also use olive oil if you wanted to avoid dairy).

3 tablespoons raisins

3 tablespoons toasted, chopped almonds.

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon corn starch

1 fat teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Optional: 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup (in case you like things very sweet or your apples are not sweet enough)

How to:

1.- Read the instructions on your filo pastry. Mine said to take out of the fridge 2 hours before using, I’m not sure this applies to all filo pastry brands. So make sure to follow the instructions on yours.

2.- Melt the butter and place in a bowl. Reserve for later.

3.- Cut the apples in half, core them and then slice them thinly. Place in a bowl.

4.- Add the lemon juice, then add the corn starch and mix well.

5.- Add the cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to the mix and reserve.

6.- Now you are ready to bring out the filo pastry. Prepare your surface by placing some baking paper on the counter and make sure you have everything you need at hand: almonds, raisins, melted butter and apple mix:

Then place a sheet of filo pastry on top of the baking paper. With a brush, paint the filo with the melted butter.

7.- Add a second layer of filo pastry and paint with butter. Don’t worry if the filo cracks at some point, you are going to be adding a third layer, and that should cover any holes.

8.- After adding a third sheet of filo pastry you are ready to add the apple filling. On an end of the filo, place the apples alongside, then cover with the almonds and raisins:

9.- Cover with a 4rth layer of filo, make sure it encases the filling so it keeps its shape during baking. Paint with butter.

10.- Now, carefully start rolling the pastry until you have shaped it like a log and tug the ends neatly underneath it:

Then with a sharp knife make 4 incisions and using your fingers make sure they are well defined, so that vapour can escape during baking:

11.- Paint with butter and place in the oven at 180 degrees for 45 minutes, after which it should be a lovely golden colour and nicely crisp.

12. Enjoy warm, cold, alone or with ice cream…. YUM!!

Have a great Thursday!!

Namaste,

Paula