Apple Strudel

To prepare a delicious apple pie, the first step is to choose the most suitable apples. Ideally, you should use tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Ionatan, as they provide a pleasant contrast to the sweetness of the sugar. Once you have selected the apples, wash them well under running water, peel them, and cut them into small cubes so that they cook evenly and integrate perfectly into the filling.

In a large skillet, add the apple cubes and sprinkle sugar over them, making sure to mix them well to combine. Place the skillet over medium heat and let the apples sauté. As they heat up, the apples will start to release their juice. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the juice reduces almost completely and the apples become soft but not completely mushy. This process takes about 10-15 minutes.

Once the apples are ready, remove the skillet from the heat and let the filling cool slightly. At this point, you can add breadcrumbs, being careful not to add too much so that the filling does not become watery. The breadcrumbs help absorb excess moisture and provide a pleasant texture to the pie. You can also add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a little ginger to enhance the flavor.

While the filling cools, you can prepare the puff pastry sheet. Roll out the sheet on a clean surface, ensuring it is thin enough to bake evenly. Cut the sheet into rectangles, making sure they are not too large so that you can easily roll the pie. On each rectangle, add a portion of the apple filling, leaving free edges to seal the pie.

After filling all the rectangles, carefully roll them up, ensuring that the filling does not spill out at the edges. To seal them, beat an egg yolk with a little milk and brush the edges of the sheets with this mixture. Then, brush the entire pie with the remaining yolk to achieve a golden and crispy crust.

Preheat the oven to a high temperature of about 200 degrees Celsius. Place the pies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and put them in the oven. Let them bake at high heat for the first 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180 degrees Celsius and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes, until the puff pastry is golden and crispy. Once they are ready, let them cool slightly before serving, so you can enjoy the delicious aroma of caramelized apples and the crispiness of the pastry.