Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Fall Foods- Bartlett Pear Strudel

I love this time of year. October Fest and the Seasons Weather all makes me feel great. Perhaps it's because I was born this time of year. Whatever it is Fall foods are one of my favorites.

Recently I came across a Strudel Recipe. Years ago we lived on a farm.  We had a Bartlett pear tree. This was the time of the year it produced pears. I put up lots of pears all October long. So I thought I would share a Bartlett Pear Strudel recipe was you. This is the first all the Fall Recipes for 2012.

I hope to bring you some healthier New twist to some old fashion favorites. Join in the fun and add the links to your Fall favorites in my Comments.
This recipe mixes Agave syrup with regular sugars. This is a good way to use low glycemic index sweeteners.  Using the two  helps with the controlling of the spikes in the insulin level.  Which help in the desire to eat more sweets.
Bartlett Pear Strudel

You will Need:
Filling:
5 Bartlett Pears
3 Tablespoon unsalted Butter
1/2 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Tablespoon cider
5 teaspoon Maple flavored agave syrup
2 tablespoon light brown sugar

Dough:
One 11oz package  pie dough mix (I use Pillsbury)
1/3 cup of Cider
1 teaspoon Pumpkin pie Spice

Spice mixture:  Mix together,
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon raw sugar crystals

Egg Wash:
1 eggs beaten Plus 1 teaspoon skim milk-mix together


Dough:
Mix the dough mix with cider and spice.
Wrap in plastic and place in refrigerator. 

Pear mixture:
Core and peel the pears and cut in 1 inch pieces
Melt butter in large fry pan reduce heat to medium low
add pears and spice cook for about 2 minutes
Add cider and cover reduce to simmer about 10 minutes.
Add in agave and continue to simmer for 15 to 20 more minutes until soften.
Stir in Brown sugar and set aside to cool.


Remove Dough from frig.
Roll out to 1/4 inch 9x13rectangle (I like to roll it on a silicon mat)
Place  Pear mixture in the Middle of rectangle long ways
fold the side farthest way over the pears. Now fold the other side( closet to you) over the dough and pears (if you used a silicon mat this is very easy to do). Now place it on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, seam side down.

Brush the top with Egg wash mixture ( egg and skim milk)
sprinkle with Spice mixture.
make about 5 slits on top

Put in a 400 Fahrenheit degree oven for about 35 to 40 minutes, You want to make sure the dough is cooked through.

Cool 10 minutes before cutting. Can be served warm or cold.