Apple Strudel aka Apfelstrudel

ingredients

1 egg
1 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
2 tbsp. raisins
1/2 of a 17.3-ounce package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed
Confectioners' sugar (optional)

directions

Heat the oven to 375°F. Beat the egg and water in a small bowl with a fork or whisk. Stir the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add the apples and raisins and toss to coat.

Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 16 x 12-inch rectangle. With the short side facing you, spoon the apple mixture onto the bottom half of the pastry sheet to within 1 inch of the edge.  Roll up like a jelly roll.  Place seam-side down onto a baking sheet.  Tuck the ends under to seal.  Brush the pastry with the egg mixture. Cut several slits in the top of the pastry.

Bake for 35 minutes or until the strudel is golden brown. Let the strudel cool on the baking sheet on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar, if desired.

Helper:

Make sure to toss the apples and raisins until they're evenly coated with the flour mixture. The flour helps to thicken the juices released by the apples as they cook.

Ingredient Note:

For some nutty crunch, 1/4 cup sliced almonds may be added with the apples and raisins.

Recipe Note:

The strudel may be served with Vanilla Sauce: Stir 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup light cream, 1/3 cup sugar, 4 egg yolks, beaten and 1/2 vanilla bean in a 2-quart saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture boils and thickens. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Remove the vanilla bean. Makes about 1 3/4 cups.

Doughnuts From Refrigerated Biscuit Dough

1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (any brand)

1 quart vegetable oil

1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons maple syrup

Clean pop bottle lid

Small mixing bowl

Mixing spoon

Heavy pan for deep frying

Paper towels for draining

Serving dish

Cut centers out of biscuits with clean pop bottle lid. Save centers and fry seperately from doughnuts.

In a small mixing bowl, mix together powdered sugar and maple syrup until no longer lumpy. Set aside.

In heavy pan or deep fryer, fry two to three doughnuts at a time until golden brown; turn and fry second side until golden brown. Remove from oil and place on paper towel to get off excess grease.  Temp should be about 375 for best results.

Immediately dip in maple glaze. Put on serving dish and serve immediately.  OR as an alternative, just coat them in sugar and enjoy.  Couldn't get much simpler than that!

Amish Potato Fritters

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• 1 cup mashed potatoes


• 1 egg


• 4 rounded Tbsp. flour


• 1/2 tsp. baking powder


• 1 tsp. salt


• 1/4 cup milk

Mix all ingredients together in the above order and fry in skillet with melted shortening 1/4 inch deep. When brown around the edges and cakes are rather well set, turn and brown on the other side. Serves 4-6.

 

Amish Friendship Bread

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By request I'm adding some traditional Amish and German recipes from my repertoire over the coming days.  I will start with this one.  I used this one many years ago and kept it going, it make great muffins.  Enjoy and don't forget to have fun with these!

Do not be afraid to try something new.  I have yet to post any complicated recipes so no need to worry that something is too difficult.  If it's too difficult, I don't do it! ;)

Amish Friendship Starter

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1 cup all-purpose flour

Combine the ingredients in a large deep glass or plastic container. Cover lightly. If the container has a lid, leave it slightly ajar or place a piece of cheesecloth over the container and secure with a rubberband. Store at room temperature. Stir every day for 17 days. On day 18 do nothing. On days 19, 20 and 21 stir. On day 22, stir and add 1cup of flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Stir again. On days 23, 24, 25, and 26 stir. On day 27 add 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of milk. Stir. You should now have about 4 cups of starter. Give 2 friends each 1 cup and keep 2 cups for yourself. Use 1 of the two cups in the Amish Friendship Bread recipe and use the other to keep the starter going. When you give the starter away include these instructions:

Keeping a starter going: Do not refrigerate and do not use a metal spoon when stirring the starter. On day 1 (the day you receive the starter), do nothing, On days 2, 3 and 4 stir. On day 5 stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and cup milk. Pour mixture into large glass mixing bowl; cover lightly. The mixture will rise. On days 6, 7, 8, and 9 stir. On day 10 stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir. Give 2 friends each 1 cup. Keep for yourself 1 cup to make Friendship Bread and one cup to keep the starter going.

 

Amish Friendship Bread
1 cup starter
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar 3 eggs
1 1/2tsp baking powder
1-1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2tsp salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Your choice of raisins, chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, apples, dates etc.

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Place batter in well greased and sugared 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350*F for 45-50 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan.

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Eggs Benedict With Hollandaise Sauce

• 4 egg yolks


• 3 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice


• 1 pinch ground white pepper


• 1/8 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce


• 1 tablespoon water


• 1 cup butter, melted


• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Fill the bottom of a double boiler part-way with water. Make sure that water does not touch the top pan. Bring water to a gentle simmer. In the top of the double boiler, whisk together egg yolks, lemon juice, white pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon water.


2. Add the melted butter to egg yolk mixture 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time while whisking yolks constantly. If hollandaise begins to get too thick, add a teaspoon or two of hot water. Continue whisking until all butter is incorporated. Whisk in salt, then remove from heat. Place a lid on pan to keep sauce warm until ready to serve.  Serve over Eggs Benedict (see below).

Eggs Benedict

• Begin by poaching the eggs. Crack the egg first into a separate container, and then boil water with a tablespoon or two of vinegar added. Now stir the water in a wide circle and add the whole egg. The slightly acidulated water will set the eggs quickly, while the whirlpool of water will keep the egg in a ball. Poach at a simmer for four to five minutes for set whites and soft yolks.


• Hollandaise sauce is an emulsion of eggs and butter. The eggs and butter must blend at just the right temperature--warm enough to melt the butter, but cold enough not to scramble the eggs--then stay at that temperature until served. The secret? A double-boiler and a thermos. Carefully read the recipe, use a bowl set over simmering (not boiling) water, and stir, stir, stir. Hollandaise does not like to be rushed. Take the time to make sure each step is done before moving on. The double-boiler ensures the eggs won't scramble as they heat, and the thermos ensures the sauce is held at an optimum temperature until served.

Cinnamon-Sugar Roll Cookies

 

Basic Cookie Dough - (see below)
1/2 cup salted and roasted mixed nuts, finely chopped
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter

 

 

 

Vanilla Glaze - (see below)
Chopped salted and roasted mixed nuts (optional)

Method
Prepare a Basic Cookie Dough.
Between sheets of lightly floured waxed paper, roll dough into a 16×9-inch rectangle.
In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup mixed nuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Cut in butter until mixture clings together.
Sprinkle mixture evenly over dough.
Starting from a long side, roll up dough tightly.
Wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper.
Freeze about 2 hours or until dough is firm enough to slice.

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Cut roll into 1/4-inch slices.
Place slices 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven about 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes.
Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool.
Drizzle cookies with Vanilla Glaze.
If desired, sprinkle with additional chopped mixed nuts.

Notes:

Makes about 60 cookies.
To Store: Layer cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Vanilla Glaze: In a small bowl, stir together 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in enough milk (3 to 4 teaspoons) to make a glaze of drizzling consistency.

Basic Cookie Dough Recipe:
In a large bowl, combine 1/4 c. butter (softened), 1/4 c. shortening, and 2 ounces cream cheese (softened).
Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
Add 1 c. brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg.
Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally.
Beat in 1 egg and 2 tsp. vanilla until combined.
Beat in as much of the 2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour as you can with the mixer.
Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.
Makes about 2-3/4 cups dough.