Shelly's Recipe

STRAWBERRY FIRECRACKERS

Category: Fruit Desserts

For the Sauce
1 cup frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed
2 tsp orange liqueur (or 1 Tbsp orange juice plus 1/2 tsp grated orange zest)

For Strawberry Firecrackers
3 sheets phyllo dough
1/4 cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
2 pints whole stemmed strawberries

Garnish
Sweetened whipped cream
Fresh blueberries

To make sauce: In blender or food processor, puree thawed strawberries. Stir in orange liqueur or orange juice and zest. Refrigerate, covered, up to 2 days.

To make strawberry firecrackers: Heat oven to 500. Cut phyllo sheets in half to make six 8x12 inch sheets. Cover with damp towel. In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and sugar.

Lay 1 sheet of phyllo on work surface, keeping remaining pieces covered, and brush with butter. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp of the bread crumb mixture. Place a row of 4 or 5 strawberries about 2 inches above long edge of sheet, centering the row to leave ends of sheet uncovered. From long edge, carefully roll up; tuck ends of sheet under. Place seam-side down on ungreased baking sheet, brush with butter and sprinkle with 1 tsp of the bread crumb mixture. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 6 rolls. Bake phyllo rolls in center of oven for 5 minutes or until crisp and browned.

To serve: Spoon 2 tbsp of sauce onto each of 6 plates; place 1 roll on each plate (see note) and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a few blueberries. Serve immediately. Serves 6

Note: Rolls can be cut in half on an angle with a serrated knife. Cut carefully with a light sawing motion; phyllo may crumble. +For advance preparation: Strawberry firecrackers can be prepared up to 1 day in advance. Place unbaked firecrackers on baking sheet, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Remove plastic wrap and bake at 500 for 5 minutes.