pat's Recipe

Pear & Dried Cranberry Strudel

Category: German Desserts, Breads

3 large Comice or Anjou pears, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
1 tablespoon orange juice
8 sheets phyllo dough, defrosted according to package directions
1/4 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
1/3 cup walnut oil or canola oil
Confectioners sugar, for dusting

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Combine pears, dried cranberries, 1/4 cup sugar, orange zest and orange juice in a medium bowl.

3. Unroll phyllo onto a clean, dry surface. Cover with a sheet of wax paper and then a damp kitchen towel. Place a dry kitchen towel with a long edge toward you on the work surface. Sprinkle the towel lightly with breadcrumbs. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo on the towel. (Keep the stack of phyllo sheets covered to prevent them from drying out while you work.) Starting at the center and working toward the edges, lightly brush the phyllo sheet with oil. Sprinkle lightly with breadcrumbs. Lay another sheet of phyllo on top; brush with oil and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Repeat with 5 of the remaining sheets of phyllo; lay the last sheet on top and brush with oil.

4. Mound the pear filling in a long 3-inch-wide strip on the phyllo stack, leaving a 2-inch border at the bottom and sides. Fold the short edges in and, starting at the long edge nearest you, roll the filling and phyllo into a cylinder, using the towel to help lift as you roll. Roll up firmly but not too tightly, to allow a little room for expansion.

5. Brush the strudel with oil and sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon sugar. Carefully transfer the strudel to the prepared baking sheet, placing it seam-side down. Poke several steam vents in the top using the tip of a sharp knife.

6. Bake the strudel until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Just before serving, dust with confectioners' sugar.

Serves 10.