Aussie Farmers Direct Challenge

One sheet of puff pastry, two pears and a bowl containing the following ingredients all mixed together – 1/2 cup castor sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of flour (to thicken the juice).

I told my family this was apple strudel and they loved it.  The second time I made it I told them the truth it was pear strudel and no-one touched it.  So third time round I solemnly swore to make the apple strudel and I did, using pears and they ate it and loved it.

Preheat oven to 200C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

Peel and slice up the pears very thinly and then mix them into the sugar, flour and cinnamon mixture.  My pears in the pictured version were not sliced thinly enough.

Mix one egg and 1 tablespoon of milk together in a container to make up an egg wash.

Layer the pear cinnamon sugar mixture out evenly across the top of the puff pastry sheet leaving room at the bottom to seal it shut with some egg wash.

Roll the pastry and apple up (kind of like a jelly roll). and seal the bottom with some egg wash.  Carefully transfer to a baking tray and place sealed side down.

Seal the ends and cut 4-6 slices across the top to let the steam out.

Brush egg wash across the top and put into the 200C oven for approx 30 to 45 minutes.

When finished eat it all up before your family find out about there is ‘apple’ strudel in the house or they will want some.  Or just tell them it is really pear and watch ‘em run for the hills.