Apple Strudel and Vanilla Custard

Sunrise Senior Living have recently launched their annual Taste of Sunrise recipe book to showcase the delicious and nutritious meals homemade in their care homes every single day.

They’ve launched a new recipe book with signature dishes designed by Michelin-star chefs and today I've cooked one, the Apple Strudel and Vanilla Custard. It's the first time I've ever made custard and it went down well, my son announced I now have to make bowl full of vanilla custard for him. It's always a good sign and encouraging to receive positive feedback from your kids.

I am finding I love cooking with Puff Pastry - it's so versatile, easy and you can make many great recipes with it. The Apple Strudel was fun to make, a simple recipe to put together and the final result - Yummy.  

A fast pudding to put together that gives you a nutty, spiced dessert during this cold weather. The perfect treat for after dinner, here is what you need:

Vanilla Custard Ingredients:

110ml Skimmed Milk

6g Custard Powder

5g Granulated White Sugar

Drop of Vanilla Essence

Apple Strudel Ingredients:

350g Apples

40g Caster Sugar

20g Sultanas

1/2tbsp Ground Nutmeg

400g Ready-made Puff Pastry

1 Egg White, Beaten

Zest and juice from half an orange

First I sliced up the apples to then combine with the sugar, sultanas, orange juice, zest and nutmeg.

Place the pastry across a lined baking tray and lightly score the pastry lengthwise into 3 sections.

Brush the pastry with the beaten egg white.

Lay half of the fruit mixture in the centre third of the pastry. Fold one side of the pastry over the fruit mixture and gently press to seal.

Then top with the remaining fruit mixture  and fold the remaining side of the pastry to cover and press to seal together.

Brush the top of the pastry with the rest of the egg white and score the top with a knife.

Bake at 175c for 45 minutes until golden brown and the bottom is firm. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.  Yum Yum Yum.

For the custard: 

Mix the custard powder with the sugar with a little milk to form a smooth paste.  Then heat the remaining milk to nearly boiling and add to the custard mix, stirring well.  Whisk in the Vanilla essence and return the Custard mix to the saucepan and stir until the mix is brought to the boil. Remove from the heat and leave to stand for 1 minute.

Cut the Pastry into slices, pour over the Vanilla Custard and enjoy!  A hearty warm dessert that tastes amazing.