Mamo's Apple Strudel Recipe
This is my great-grandmother Mamo's apple strudel recipe. It's amazing. When I was taught this by my grandmother, she said "Listen, you don't tell anyone that doesn't have your last name this recipe." We kept the recipe locked away in hopes of selling out to a major corporation. Well, that ship has sailed. Also, why should a major corporation make this in mass quantities? You should make it! At home, with family, the way it was meant to be made.
What was Mamo's secret? Canned pineapple! Your strudel won't taste like pineapple. It amps up the apple flavor. Trust me. Well, not me. Trust Mamo.
Makes one 11 x 17-inch pan
Directions
Ingredients
As you peel and dice the apples, sprinkle with lemon juice and mix frequently to prevent browning, or toss in iced water with some lemon juice.
Place the apples into a large pot on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the pineapple, sugar, 1 cup water and salt. Cook until the moisture evaporates and consistency of the remaining fruit is thicker than preserves, 30 to 35 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning on the bottom. Cool, then stir in nuts.
Refrigerate the apple filling at least overnight. Filling will last in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a pot, melt the butter over very low heat. A white foam will form as the top layer. Skim off the foam with a spoon. Once the foam is removed, add the oil. Stir and remove from the heat.
On a sheet of waxed paper, lay out the first layer of phyllo dough. (Dough dries out quickly, so keep other layers not in use covered with a damp cloth over a sheet of waxed paper.) Using a pastry brush, gently brush the butter/oil mixture onto the entire sheet of dough. Sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture over the entire surface. Repeat for an additional 4 layers so each roll has a total of 5 layers of phyllo dough.
Using a spoon, add a row of the apple filling an inch or two from the bottom of the dough. Do not overstuff or the strudel will burst when baking. Lift the bottom edge of the waxed paper with both hands, each about a third of the way in from the outer edges to support the phyllo as you roll up the dough, jellyroll style. As you roll, fold the sides inwards to form sealed edges as you continue to the end. End with the seam-side down.
Coat a baking pan with the butter/oil mixture and place the first rolled dough onto the pan with the seam facing down. Then brush the roll all over with the butter/oil mixture.
Repeat the steps above until you have filled the cookie pan with the rolls but keep at least a roll's width between each. Keep at least 2 to 3 inches between the rolls on the baking sheet to ensure even browning.
Bake until golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes, depending on your oven. During baking, baste 4 to 5 times with the butter/oil mixture.
Cut into pieces while still hot so the crust won't break.
10 to 12 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into thin strips
Juice of 1 lemon
1 large can pineapple, drained and diced
3/4 cup sugar
Pinch salt
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts
2 sticks unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 pound package phyllo dough
Mixture of 1 large freshly ground cinnamon stick, 1/3 cup sugar and 1 cup plain breadcrumbs