Low Fat Apple Strudel – Golden Door Spa
Chef Michel Stroot created this classic dessert recipe for Golden Door Spa in California. The higher and denser calorie pastry is replaced by phyllo dough, and the fruit filling is simple and not too sweet. Delicious for an afternoon tea or dessert. Guests love this dessert and “never miss the butter” typically used in abundance with strudel recipes.
Ingredients
- 5 medium Golden Delicious apples (peeled, cored and sliced thin)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground cloves
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (or Splenda or Swerve Brown)
- 5 slices phyllo dough (12 x 17 inch sheets)
- Confectioners Sugar (to taste)
- Vegetable Oil Spray
Instructions
- Coat a large non-stick skillet with vegetable oil spray and saute the apple slices with cinnamon, cloves, dried fruit and brown sugar, over medium heat, for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. The apples should begin to soften. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil spray.
- Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough on a work surface, with the long-side toward you, and spray it with vegetable oil spray. Stack up each phyllo dough sheet, spraying EACH ONE with vegetable oil spray. This will both keep the dough moist and hydrated, and, be used in place of butter to keep the pastry light and flaky.
- On the top of the dough layer stack, spoon the apple filling in a long row down the center the dough (lengthwise). Starting with the long side facing you, roll the dough up and over the filling to enclose it, and roll to enclose completely. Tuck in the ends and transfer the roll to the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly spray the top exposed layer of the roll with vegetable oil spray. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.
- Spring with confectioners sugar, if desired. Cut into slices and serve warm.
Nutrition
ABOUT:
The Golden Door
is a unique sanctuary modeled after ancient Japanese Honjin inns with koi ponds, lush gardens, and miles of scenic hiking trails, enhanced by the latest fitness techniques, ancient relaxation therapies, and personalized counseling to promote a healthy lifestyle and inner peace. Here in this peaceful northern pocket of San Diego County, founder Deborah Szekely in 1958 developed a unique philosophy of personal health and fitness inspired by ancient Japanese Honjin inns – and the spa industry grew its first roots. Through its program of fitness training and refined nourishment coupled with indulgent, caring spa treatments, the dedicated staff work with guests to treat their bodies with the respect and care they deserve.
We make this often. Delicious and reliable.
This last lesson was learned well by Ms. O Connor, once the pastry chef at the Golden Door, the Southern California spa. She has given a name to it: flavor layering. She recommends combining fruit brandies like poire Williams with apples and pears to increase the intensity of the flavor; or for chocolate, combine coffee liqueurs with cocoa powder, or natural chocolate extract with coffee. She also offers a chemistry lesson on the role of fat, eggs and sugar in desserts, information useful for the old family favorites.
Very good, but I prefer it with peaches or nectarines. Pears good also. Frozen fruit and berries are too wet, so rely on fresh. The oil spray really does make this crispy and brown.