Dried Fruit Strudel With Apricot Preserves Recipes

APRICOT STRUDEL

Steps:

• Cream the flour, butter, and cream cheese into a ball and chill it.
• Divide dough into 4 parts.
• Roll each into a rectangle.
• Spread mixture of apricot preserves, shredded coconut, and chopped nuts.
• Roll up as a jellyroll.
• Put on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees.
• cool and slice.

CRANBERRY APRICOT PECAN STRUDEL

Steps:

• In a large heavy skillet melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over moderately high heat until the foam subsides and in it sauté the apples, peeled and grated coarse, stirring, for 5 minutes. Stir in the cranberries and the sugar and cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until the cranberries burst. Stir in the apricots, the pecans, and the cinnamon and let the filling cool. The filling may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. In a small saucepan melt the remaining 6 tablespoon butter. On a work surface arrange two 20-inch-long sheets of wax paper with the long sides overlapping slightly and facing you. Put 1 sheet of the phyllo on the wax paper, brush it with some of the butter, and sprinkle it with 2 teaspoons of the bread crumbs. On this, layer, brush, and sprinkle 4 more sheets of the phyllo in the same manner and lay the sixth sheet of phyllo on top.
• Spread the filling in a 3-inch-wide strip, mounding it on the phyllo 4 inches above the near long side, leaving in a 2-inch border at each end. Using the wax paper as a guide, lift the bottom 4 inches of the pastry over the filling, fold in the ends, and roll up the strudel tightly. Transfer the strudel carefully, seam side down, to a lightly buttered baking sheet, brush it with remaining butter, and bake it in the lower third of the oven for 25 minutes, or until it is golden. Let the strudel cool to warm on the baking sheet on a rack. The strudel may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered loosely and chilled. Reheat the strudel in a preheated 400°F. oven for 15 minutes. Serve strudel warm, cut into 1-inch slices with a serrated knife, with the ice cream.

DRIED APRICOT JAM

Steps:

• Soak apricots in boiling water in a bowl until hydrated, about 30 minutes. Blend apricots, remaining water, and vanilla extract in a food processor, working in batches, until blended but still slightly chunky.
• Combine apricot mixture with pectin in a large pot over medium heat; cook until just boiling. Add sugar and lemon juice; boil until sugar has dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the apricot jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4-inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool, about 1 hour. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

APRICOT STRUDEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degree celcius (180 degree for fan-forced).
• Grease oven tray.
• Combine apricots, sugar, cinnamon, sultanas and nuts in medium bowl.
• Stack pastry sheets, brushing each lightly with milk as you layer them.
• Spread apricot mix over pastry, leaving a 5cm space at edge of both short sides and 2cm at edge of one long side.
• Fold short sides over; starting from filled long side edge, roll strudel to enclose filling.
• Place seam side down on prepared tray.
• Bush strudel with remaining milk.
• Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Dust strudel with icing sugar before serving, warm or cold, with icecream if desired.