Nothing like a Strudel...

Why buy a frozen Strudel when cooking one is so easy?

The only painstaking bit is peeling the apples, and even then, it's only six apples.

Filo pastry can be a bit fiddly for people who haven't used it before, but don't worry if it tears - just stick it all together with the melted butter and no-one will be the wiser!

Apple and Date Strudel

Serves 8

• 6 green apples, peeled and sliced
• 6 fresh dates, seeded and chopped
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 150g almond meal
• 8 sheets ready-prepared filo pastry
• 100g butter, melted
• 1/2 cup flaked almonds

Preheat the oven to 180oC. Place the apples, dates, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and almond meal in a large bowl and toss to combine. Set aside. Layer the filo sheets together, brushing between each layer with the melted butter. Place the apple mixture along the middle of the pastry lengthways, fold over ends to enclose. Brush with remaining butter and sprinkle over almonds. Place the strudel on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake for 20-25 minutes or until crisp and golden.