Alan’s Poppy Seed Strudel

Ingredients:

1 pkg. frozen puff pastry dough, defrosted according to label instructions. I’ve been buying the ZegGüt or Mazor brands at my international grocery that comes as 5"X5" squares.
1 sticks unsalted butter
1 can Solo® Poppy Seed
box of toothpicks
1 Tbsp. Rose water §
1 egg, at room temperature
1 tbsp ground Cinnamon
½ cup confectioner's Sugar
1 tsp grated nutmeg
Large pan (10x16 is good)
Kitchen parchment

Before baking - you can see my toothpicks sticking out

Preparation:

1. In a saucepan or microwave, melt the butter and set aside.
2. Allow your puff pastry dough to defrost

Assembly:
(Either use butter-spray or brush with melted butter)

Your puff pastry dough must be completely defrosted [follow package directions] or it will be difficult to work with.

1. Line your pan with parchment.Brush with butter.
2. Move first two sheets to your work area. Generously brush with butter
3. Overlap the two sheets about a half inch and mash them together to make one long sheet about 9.5 inches long
4. Make diagonal slits on both long edges; do not meet in the middle but leave some space in the middle for the filling. (see illustration)
5. Lightly dust the dough with cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamon.
6. Place filling in the center; poppy is messy to work with, fruit goes faster. This is the method I use whether filling with cheese, apples, or poppyseeds.
7. Put toothpicks in at several spots along the length just to hold things together.
8. Starting from the A end, braid the strips, alternationg sides as you go down the roll. (Don't worry about being neat, nobody can tell after its baked)
9. Brush top with one egg beaten with water or milk. Gives it a glossy glow.
10. Pre-heat oven to 385°. Bake for about 35 minutes or package directions. Watch near the end to be sure it is not burning.

Other shapes

I slice a 5X5 sheet into 4 squares. Place about a ½ teaspoon of poppyseed paste into each one and fold up. Bring opposite corners together; then stick a toothpick through the outside sides to hold it together.

Alternatively, slice a sheet into 3 strips, place poppyseed along strip and roll up jellyroll fashion.

Serving:

1. Remove from oven
2. Remove toothpicks
3. Allow to cool slightly and springle with powdered sugar. I have found that flour sifter works well and does not overpower the dish.

Serve cool or at room temperature.

§ May be found in an International or Middle Eastern market.