Mixed Fruit Strudel Food

MIXED BERRY STRUDEL

Steps:

• Thaw phyllo in package if frozen. Unwrap phyllo and cover sheets with a damp tea towel. On a piece of waxed paper slightly larger than the phyllo sheet place the first phyllo sheet. Brush lightly with butter and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons graham cracker crumb. Repeat twice, topped with an unbuttered sheet.
• Starting about 1-inch from the edge, spoon half of the filling in a strip along one long side of phyllo, leaving 2 inches free of filling at each end. Roll, starting at edge nearest filling and tucking in ends. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Place on ungreased baking sheet, seam side down. Brush with melted butter and cut 4 diagonal slits on top of each strudel.
• Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve warm or at room temperature.

RUSSIAN STYLE MIXED/DRIED FRUIT STRUDEL

Steps:

• Put the flour in the bowl of an electric mixer. On slow, mix in the butter until it looks like very coarse meal. Mix in the sour cream until it masses together to form a dough. Pat into a rectangle, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
• Filling:
• Coarsely chop the prunes. In a small saucepan, cover the prunes with the prune juice and sugar. Bring to a simmer for 3 minutes. Place in a food processor with the vanilla and puree to a paste. Mix in the raisins, cherries and walnuts. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a square 16 by16 inches. Place the filling in a log running along the bottom and roll up. Pinch the ends closed. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet, seam side down. Mix the egg and water together to form a wash and paint the strudel. Bake for 30 minutes until crisp and golden. Let cool on a rack, then slice into 1 inch pieces.
• This was my Grandma Bessie's baking specialty. I haven't had this since she died but my brothers and I talk of it often, trying to re-construct what was in it. I re-discovered it at the Golden Key in Brighton Beach. Can be made on a rainy day with items in the pantry

FRUIT STRUDEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º.
• Put the flour, sour cream and butter in a large zip lock bag. Mix until combined. Let sit in the refrigerator overnight, or put in the freezer for 1 ½ hours.
• After the dough is well chilled, divide into four parts.
• Flour work surface.
• Take one part and roll into a fat snake like shape with hands.
• Then with a rolling pin, roll into a rectangle about 1/8 inch thick.
• Spread jam evenly onto dough, leaving an small edge without jam.
• Roll up like a jelly roll.
• Press seams together and seal.
• Lay seam side down on a cookie sheet.
• With a sharp knife, cut slits across the strudel in a diagonal pattern.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes.
• To make icing, combine the powdered sugar and milk. You want it to be thick.
• While strudel is still warm, drizzle powdered sugar mixture over strudel.
• Cut into bite size servings to serve.
• Feel free to add nuts with the jam.