It is strudel time - another yummie

This recipe was sent to me by a Scandinavian friend - well Finnish to tell the truth. Marga sent my kids a Finnish version of "Night Before Christmas"  about 30 years ago and it is still one of our memory treasures.  She visits this blog on occasion and sent this to me. It is spectacular - not Finnish by any means - just plain good.

Using those puff pastry sheets makes this easier than baking a pie and a lot less risky.  Make sure you use plain bread crumbs or Panko which really work well.  If you have a thawed puff pastry sheet and have your apple mixture ready to go, this can go in the oven in about 5 minutes.  If you make "sushi' and know how to "roll" this is a snap. but don't be afraid....be brave.

Ingredients:

One sheet (half box) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
One-half cup sugar
One-quarter cup finely chopped walnuts
Five tablespoons raisins or currents or cranberries (dried obviously)
One-half teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel
One teaspoon cinnamon
Two or three Pippin or Granny Smith apples (approximately three cups chopped)
One tablespoon toasted plain dry bread crumbs
Two tablespoons melted butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F.
On a very lightly floured, plain-weave kitchen towel, lay out puff pastry dough. Lightly flour top and gently roll out to a thin rectangle about 14" x 17", sealing any tears in the dough. Dough will be quite thin; do not over-handle. Set aside, keeping dough on towel.
Peel, core and chop apples into small chunks. Toss with sugar, walnuts, raisins, lemon peel and cinnamon.
Lightly brush dough with one quarter of the melted butter. Sprinkle with dry bread crumbs. Add apple mixture in the center of dough, leaving a 1" margin around the filling. Fold in 1" along three sides of the dough, leaving one long side unfolded. Moisten all folded edges and remaining flat dough edge lightly with water. Using the towel to assist you, roll the dough toward the unfolded edge, enclosing the filling. Press gently but firmly on bottom seam and sides to seal.
Using the towel as a sling, transfer strudel seam-side-down to a cookie sheet; gently remove towel. Brush lightly with the remaining melted butter, and prick sparingly along the top with a fork. Bake about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Cut crosswise into 12 pieces and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a vanilla custard sauce.

Makes 12 servings.