German Strudel With A Twist Food

GERMAN APPLE STRUDEL (APFELSTRUDEL)

Steps:

• Combine the flour and salt in a stand-mixer. Using the paddle attachment, add in the water, oil, and vinegar while mixing on low speed until you get a soft dough. Change out the paddle attachment for the dough hook, then knead the dough on medium speed until a soft ball forms.
• Transfer the dough to a clean work surface and knead for 2-3 minutes, until smooth. Slam the dough onto the work surface a few times to enhance gluten development, then shape into a ball and transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, giving the dough a quick torn to lightly coat it in oil on top so it doesn't dry out. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 60-90 minutes.
• When the dough is almost done resting, heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the raisins in a bowl of hot water to soak. Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Cover your kitchen table or large counter space with a clean tablecloth or sheet.
• To stretch the dough, first move it from the bowl to a clean, dry surface and cut it cleanly in half with a bench scraper, pizza cutter, or large knife. Set one half of the dough to the side. Shape the other half of the dough into a ball and roll it out as thin as you can.
• Gently lift the dough and transfer it to the clean, flat surface covered by the tablecloth. Working gently, lift and stretch the dough a little at a time. When you first start, you can use your knuckles (be sure to remove all jewelry first) underneath the dough to stretch it like a pizza with the back of your hands. Continue to stretch the dough by lifting gently from the thicker edges and wafting a little air under the dough as you pull away from the center of the dough. As it thins out, the weight of the dough will mostly hold it in place on the tablecloth while you stretch out one side, then the other, increasing the size of the dough and stretching it thinner and thinner each time. As you lift and gently pull, you will see areas where the dough is thinning out and you will know the dough is thin enough when you are able to see the pattern of the tablecloth through the dough.
• Continue to stretch and pull the dough until it is paper-thin and a large rectangular shape. If there is a thick band of dough around the edges, remove it by gently tearing it away or carefully tug on the band, stretching the dough even a bit further to thin that thick band of dough out.
• Using a your hands (or a very soft pastry brush, although I find that my hands work best), gently spread 1/4 cup of the melted butter over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle half of the breadcrumbs over half of the dough, then place half of the sliced apples on top of the breadcrumbs. Cover the apples evenly with half of the raisins (and walnuts, if using) and half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Fold the short end of the dough over onto the filling, then fold the sides over as well to create a sort of envelope edge that will keep the filling in place as you roll the strudel. Grab the tablecloth close to the short, filled end of the strudel and lift it, allowing the strudel to roll or fold onto itself. Keep lifting the tablecloth, rolling the strudel into a log, making sure the filling stays tucked inside.
• Carefully transfer the strudel onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, seam side down. Repeat with the remaining half of the dough and filling ingredients, reserving 1/4 cup of melted butter. Both strudel should fit side by side on the same baking sheet with space between them. Brush the tops of both strudel with the remaining melted butter.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the dough is golden brown. Remove from oven and allow strudel to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

GERMAN STRUDELS

Steps:

• Combine yeast, salt, sugar, water, egg, and flour to make dough.
• Divide the dough into small balls.
• Let rest for a while.
• Roll balls to about 1/4 inch thick and spread with warm oil.
• Let the dough rest for a few minutes so the dough will stretch easily, then stretch the dough paper thin.
• Once the dough is stretched, roll it like you would for cinnamon rolls.
• Cut the dough (which is rolled up like a snake now) into 3 inch lengths.
• Coat roaster or heavy pan (you can also use and electric frying pan) with shortening or oil, put as many diced potatoes and onions as you like and season with salt and pepper.
• Add water to cover the potatoes and bring to a boil.
• Once water is boiling lay strudels on top of potatoes in two layers.
• Water should nearly cover strudels.
• COVER TIGHTLY-THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT OR RECIPE WILL NOT WORK!
• YOU CANNOT PEEK OR THE STRUDELS WILL "FALL"!
• Cook over low heat 30 to 35 minutes, or until you can hear a slight "frying" noise in the pan.
• Enjoy!

GERMAN STRUDEL WITH A TWIST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• On a large area sprinkle half the flour, place the rectangle of puff pastry on the flour, Sprinkle some flour on top of the dough, as well as on your rolling pin and roll the dough, as thin as you can get it, so that it forms an even rectangle approximately 18 inches long by 12 inches wide.
• Gently brush off the excess flour with a dry towel or soft brush.
• Dip the brush in the melted butter and lightly coat the dough rectangle (save a little to help seal the ends later and to brush over the top).
• Sprinkle the dough evenly with the bread crumbs and 3 Tbsp brown sugar and the cinnamon.
• With the long end facing you start placing the cranberries, apples, peaches, along the bottom, keeping about 1 inch away from the edge of the dough. I like to keep my fruit slices a bit larger than the original recipe, giving it more firmness when baked.
• Brush the perimeter with some of the melted butter .
• Now gently start rolling away from you, gathering any fruit that gets loose. My grandmother and father used to spread the flour and dough on a tea towel which helped them to roll the streudel with ease.
• Finish rolling the dough and seal the edges. Place on a non stick cookie sheet and shape into a large U.
• Lightly top with the remaining butter and sugar.
• Bake in the oven for 35 - 40 minutes, till nicely browned on top. Remove from oven and let the streudel sit for 10-15 minutes then with a large spatula move to a plate.
• Slice a piece or two, serve with french vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel and enjoy.
• what about combining any two of the following fruits: Pear, Plum, Kiwi, Banana, Apricot.

STRUDELS (GERMAN DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Mix water, salt, baking powder and flour to form dough.
• Knead dough on floured surface until elastic.
• Set aside and cover with wax paper for approximately 20 minutes.
• Roll dough out with rolling pin until it's as thin as you can make it.
• Rub a small amount of oil on top.
• Pull dough out, starting on edges.
• When it's pulled thin, stretch it out on the counter and anchor it on the ends (with water glasses or bowls).
• Flip it lengthwise 3 or 4 times into 1" wide strips.
• Slice off strip and cut into 2" pieces.
• Repeat until no more dough is left.
• Heat 1 tablespoon lard in frying pan at maximum heat and then turn down to setting 4.
• Fry dough in lard, adding lard as needed.
• Remove and let stand in a bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon lard in large pot on setting 6.
• Add onions and saute until they start to brown, then add potatoes.
• Add water to cover potatoes, salt and pepper.
• Cook covered until potatoes are half cooked (approximately 15 minutes).
• Add 2" water and bring to boil.
• Add dough pieces and cook covered for 1/2 hour on setting 4.