APPLE STRUDEL

FOR THE DOUGH:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons corn oil
3 tablespoons warm water
FOR THE FILLING:
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1 cup fresh white bread crumbs
1 1/2 pounds cooking apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely grated
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup dried currants
1/3 cup superfine sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons finely-grated lemon rind
Sifted confectioners' sugar (to serve)

TO MAKE THE DOUGH:
Sift the flour and salt together. Make a well in the center and pour in the egg and oil. Add the water gradually, stirring with a fork, to make a soft sticky dough. Work the dough in the bowl until it leaves the sides clean, then tip out onto a lightly-floured surface and knead for about 15 minutes or until the dough feels smooth and elastic. Form into a ball, place in a bowl, and cover with a warm cloth. Leave to rest for 1 hour.

TO MAKE THE FILLING:
Melt half the butter in a saucepan and cook the bread crumbs until they are crisp and golden. Add the apples, raisins, dried currants, superfine sugar, cinnamon, and lemon rind.

TO SHAPE AND BAKE:
Warm a rolling pin, and flour a large clean dish towel. Place the dough on the towel and roll it out to a rectangle as thinly as possible, lifting and turning it to prevent it from sticking to the cloth. Using the backs of your hands, gently stretch the dough, working from the center to the outside until it is paper thin -- you should be able to read through the dough, but to do this takes years of practice and patience. Then leave the dough to rest for 15 minutes.

Melt the remaining butter and use most of it to brush all over the dough. Spread the filling on the dough to within 1 inch of the edges. Lift the two corners of the dish towel nearest to you and roll the dough away from you. Place the dough on a greased baking sheet and form into a horseshoe. Brush all over with the remaining melted butter.

Bake in a preheated oven, 400 degrees F, for about 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees F for a further 30 minutes.

Serve warm or cold, dusted with confectioners' sugar and cut into thick slices.

Makes 10 servings
Source: The Apple Cookbook by Nicola Hil