Gemüsestrudel

I have a very good German vegetarian cookbook. The recipes are usually simple and only once I have been disappointed with the results. Most recipes from this book are delicious, and this vegetable strudel is one of them.



Serves 4-6 people:

1 pack of filo pastry (next time, I will attempt to make the pastry myself)
4 big handfuls of spinach leaves
2 TBSP olive oil
1 onion, finely sliced
1 red pepper, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
2 courgettes, cut in the length then sliced
40g butter, melted
10 leaves fresh basil, shredded
1 sprig of rosemary, chopped
salt and pepper
100g cheddar cheese, grated
2 tsp sesame seeds

1. Pre-heat the oven at 200 C. Cover a baking tray with baking paper.

2. Cook the spinach until wilted then drain and pat dry with kitchen roll.

3. Heat the olive oil, fry the sliced onion for 5 min then add the vegetables and fry for another 5 - 7 minutes.

4. Place a sheet of filo pastry onto the baking paper. Brush the sheet with butter, add another sheet. Repeat until there are 6 sheets topping each other. Place the spinach in the middle of the top sheet, top with the vegetables, leaving the edges (4 cm) free. Season to taste. Sprinkle with the basil and rosemary. Cover with the cheese.

5. Using more melted butter to seal, wrap the vegetable middle part with the pastry edges and place more filo sheets to cover the middle. Seal well. Brush a little butter on the top and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

6. Place in the oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

7. Serve with a salad or fresh vegetables, and a nice red wine, like one of these which we had left from our wedding!