Ask The Chef Forum

I decided to answer you in the form of a tutorial video, as I thought this might be of more help. Below is the link on Certé’s YouTube Channel to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3Xv0g-iVWM 

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Keeping It Fresh,

Chef Sylvia

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Hi Chef Sylvia,

I am preparing to make a peach strudel with phyllo dough but have a question on how to put it together. I have noticed that some strudels have the filling spread throughout the entire sheet and some clumped together in one row on the sheet. Would it make a difference if I am using phyllo dough instead of a thicker puff pastry? I really like the presentation of the roll when the filling is applied throughout the entire sheet, but am afraid that it would be too mushy with layers of phyllo in the middle. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan

NYC

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Hi Alan,

Thank you for a very interesting question! First of all, you are right—it will be too mushy with dough in the center,. I understand you are looking to have the spiral look with the Peaches and keep the crispy exterior, but Puff Pastry does not work well with a Strudel preparation, as it is not dry enough

There are 2 ways you can go:

1. “Dry out” the Phyllo even more by layering and brushing with butter and a generous dusting of ground pecans or Biscotti (if you need nut-free).

2. Eight-layers of Phyllo, brushed with butter and topped with a thin layer of Genoise (vanilla sponge cake) to get the “Swiss Roll/Strudel effect.

Either way, you will achieve the crispness of Phyllo on the outside. With the Genoise method, the cake will absorb the moistness of the peaches and will not be mushy. I have never prepared this either, but food science dictates this should work. Please let me know!

Keeping It Fresh,

Chef Edward Sylvia