Crab Meat Strudel Food

CRAB AND GOAT CHEESE STRUDEL

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl combine the goat cheese with the lemon juice, salt, pepper, and basil; mix together well and set aside. Cut the phyllo pastry in half lengthwise so that you have 2 (5 1/2-inch) wide pieces of dough. Keeping the piles of dough covered with a damp tea towel, lay one sheet of phyllo out on a lightly floured surface, brush it with a little melted butter, and place another sheet on top of it, staggered bu 1/2-inch to the left. Repeat until you have 4 layers of phyllo, staggering each by 1/2-inch, and then repeat the process to make a second identical pile. Spread half the goat cheese mixture in a line 1/2-inch in from one long inner edge of each phyllo pile. Next to the strip on the inside, make a long line of half the shredded crab meat. Distribute half the grilled onions and asparagus next to the crab, brush the long edge and the 2 short edges of the phyllo with meted butter and roll up the strudels tightly from left to right, squeezing the edges to seal them. Place the 2 strudels seam-side down on a baking sheet and brush the outside of each strudel with more melted butter. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and, if desired, refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
• Roast the bell peppers over a gas flame, or on a tray under a hot broiler, turning so that the skin is evenly charred without burning and drying out the flesh. transfer the charred peppers to a plastic bag, tie the top closed and let steam until cool to the touch, about 15 minutes. The easiest way to peel them is to pull off the charred skin by hand and then dip the peppers briefly in water to remove any blackened bits. Do not peel them under running water since that will wash away flavorful juices. Once peeled, cut away stems, seeds, and veins. In a blender, process the flesh to a smooth puree. You should have about 1 cup of puree.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine red pepper puree with the lime juice, sour cream, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Blend together well and refrigerate, covered, until needed.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bring the sauce to room temperature. Bake the strudels in the hot oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are crisp and golden. Remove them to a cutting board, rest for 5 minutes, and slice off and discard or eat the very ends of the strudels. Slice each strudel into 3 equal lengths and slice each length into 3 spirals. Make a little pool of the red pepper sauce on each of 6 plates and place 3 spirals, cut side up, on the sauce. Garnish with a leaf of lettuce and serve immediately.

SEAFOOD STRUDEL

Steps:

• Separate phyllo sheets; lay one on work surface, keeping remaining sheets covered with damp towel.
• Brush with butter.
• Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, mustard and 1/2 cup Swiss cheese.
• Sprinkle 1 to 2 Tbsp of this mixture on buttered sheet of phyllo.
• Repeat layers until all 12 sheets are stacked.
• Combine remaining Swiss cheese, sour cream, seafood and parsley. Spoon mixture along one long side of the stacked sheets of phyllo.
• Roll up, enclosing the seafood mixture, tuck ends inches (Roll will be the length of the phyllo.).
• Place on baking sheets, brush with additional butter.
• Bake at 375F for 40-45 minutes until golden.
• Serve hot or cooled to room temperature.

SAVORY MEAT STRUDEL

Steps:

• Saute chopped onion and peppers in clarified butter until translucent.
• Add ground meat and bread crumbs and brown well.
• Deglaze by adding wine (or chicken broth).
• Stir and allow alcohol to dissipate.
• Transfer meat mixture to large bowl and allow to cool slightly.
• Season with fresh herbs, salt, pepper and Paprika; add sour cream and beaten egg, mixing thoroughly.
• Allow mixture to cool completely in refrigerator, about 15-30 minutes.
• Unwrap phyllo dough and lay flat on a damp towel, covering with a second damp towel.
• [Phyllo will dry out incredibly fast if you don;t cover it with the damp towel, so do*not* skip this step.
• ]Transfer phyllo, one sheet at a time to a third damp towel, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
• Do not butter the last sheet of phyllo after transferring it to the stack.
• Remove meat mixture from refrigerator and spoon onto lower 2/3 of the phyllo dough rectangle, leaving room at the edges all the way round.
• Fold short ends of the rectangle in over meat mixture.
• Brush long end of phyllo with beaten egg mixture.
• Grab moist towel on one side and use it to lift and roll the package into a strudel (roll), pinching the egged end to seal.
• Transfer the strudel, seal side down, to a well-greased baking sheet.
• Brush entire strudel with remaining eggwash.
• Transfer sheet to preheated 400-degree oven and bake 45 minutes until crisp and golden brown.
• Transfer strudel to cutting board, allow it to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing.
• Serve with a Caesar or a composed salad for a delicious taste treat.
• Makes a great luncheon or brunch dish, too.