A Month of Recipes Inspired by Musicals: The Sound of Music

Sunday, July 3, 2011


In earlier posts, I’ve mentioned my love of old movie musicals.  And it’s surprising how often food pops up in these musicals.  So what could be better than posting a month’s worth of recipes inspired by those wonderful shows?

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you already know how much I love The Sound of Music. Most of you will know the story of Maria, the nun-turned-nanny who won the hearts of the seven von Trapp children and their father, with her loving nature and beautiful voice. 

For my Sound of Music recipe, I considered making a cup of tea (a drink with jam and bread), but that seemed uninspired.  Instead, I remembered the scene where Maria comforts the little girls during a thunderstorm.  Soon, all of the children end up in the room (either from their own rooms, or from a date with Rolf) and Maria sings about her favorite things to cheer them up.  “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,” she sings.  And, for the purpose of today’s blog, “crisp apple strudels”. 

Apple strudel is the ultimate Austrian dessert, so I chose a recipe developed by the Austrian chef that I know best, Wolfgang Puck, and his pastry chef, Sherry Yard.  It has a flaky phyllo crust and is packed with fruit.  I’m not sure that my strudel reaches the heights of the one I ate in Mondsee, Austria on the Sound of Music tour.  But for a Canadian replica, it ranks right up there with bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.

Apple strudel (makes two strudels)

Ingredients 

4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced feather thin
1/4 cup lemon juice (1 lemon)
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup dried cherries or raisins
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 Tbsp butter, melted (for cooking bread crumbs)
2 Tbsp butter, melted (for brushing phyllo)
Optional:  extra sugar and cinnamon to brush along the top of strudel
10 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed, about 17” x 12” each

In a medium bowl, toss together the apples and lemon juice. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon and cherries or raisins. Add to the apples and set aside.

Stir bread crumbs in butter until coated and golden brown and crispy.  Set aside to cool completely.

Place one sheet dough on a piece of parchment paper. With your fingers, gently brush dough with melted butter.  (Don’t use a pastry brush as that will rip it.)  Repeat until you've laid down five sheets of dough, each with butter.

Spread half the bread crumbs along the long (17”) side, in a two to three inch line, one inch from the bottom of the dough.

Place half the prepared apple mixture on the line of bread crumbs.  Using the parchment paper to get started, roll up the dough jelly-roll style. With a knife, trim ends and tuck end of dough. Brush dough with melted butter and place on a cookie sheet.  If desired, sprinkle with extra cinnamon and sugar.  Before baking, score the top of the strudel about 2” apart to help with cutting it after baked.

Repeat with second half of ingredients.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 minutes. Turn cookie sheet around in the oven and cover with foil.  Continue to bake for 15 minutes, until golden brown.

35 comments:

laxsupermom said...

Yum! Your strudel looks wonderful! What a fun idea for a series. Can't wait to see what other fun musical inspired recipes you share.

Angie's Recipes said...

wow you have baked the apple strudel! I wish I could taste a couple of slices now.

Amie Kaufman said...

Oh yuuuum. I've never heard of adding cherries in before. I'm so excited--not a big raisin fan, so this is a very promising development!

Valerie Gamine said...

Apple strudel is something I've always wanted to make, but could never really find a good recipe for.

This one looks perfect! And it's just the right dessert to capture the essence of The Sound of Music.

Joanne said...

What a great idea, finding the menu of musicals! I like seeing things through a different lens, this should be a fun series :)

Heather said...

I recently substitute taught in a vocal music class and had to watch "The Sound of Music" six times! Although I like the movie, even that was a little too much! lol!

Your apple strudel looks delicious! It is so hot here, and even though my family is craving a home baked treat, I am feeling uninspired. I guess I must get up early and bake like a real baker! :)

Ruth said...

Wow! Gorgeous photo. I'm happy to have been with you in Austria way back when!

Anonymous said...

I love the look of your strudel! It looks so delicious! I, too, love thinking of the Austrian food when I watch this movie. Thanks for commenting on my blog! I've added yours to my Google Reader and look forward to reading your future posts!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, we love old musicals, too! And I might like apple strudel even more! Lucky you getting to do a Sound of Music tour of Austria...can't wait to see what you feature next :)

Justine L said...

I have always loved that movie!! And strudel is perfect. :)

Anonymous said...

That looks fabulous. I think Wolfgang and Sherry would give you a thumbs-up!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

This looks so delicious. Apple Strudel is an all-time favorite of my husband and I :)

Carol said...

Looking forward to more movie musical menu's, great idea! Love the apple strudel! Best movie!

Sue said...

My parents used to take us to a lot of musicals when we were kids. Loved them! Your apple strudel looks great! I made it once (even the dough) and it was a lot of work, but so yummy!

Anonymous said...

Yum! My stomach actually growled looking at your strudel. :) And I love how you are finding your inspiration. ~ Courtney

Anonymous said...

This is such a good idea! Strudels are so comforting and delicious :)

shaz said...

Or you could have made schnitzel with noodles :) But strudels are definitely more my style too. Just ate a cherry/ cream cheese version for dessert on a night out last week. Oh so good. Yet to make my own though, but inspired to start with the one you made. Looks fantastic.

Rita said...

I have never and always wanted to make Apple strudel; your is just perfect. And yes I so love all the music of The Sound of Music.
Rita

Belinda said...

I want to sing when I see this...though I am pretty sure you don't want me doing that.

Anonymous said...

Oh, preach. I plan on loving this theme 11/10. And, I've discovered that apple pie/strudel/tart-type desserts are something that Marcus WILL eat. So this bodes well for all of us.

Julie said...

The Sound of Music is one the favorite musicals of my childhood. I love strudel but have never made it before. This looks delicious. What a great post!

Anonymous said...

The strudel is delightful. Wish I had a piece in front of me.

I am looking forward to this new series. What a wonderful idea.

Meagan Spooner said...

My dad would absolutely ADORE this recipe. I'm bookmarking it for the next time I want to bake him something!

Caryn Caldwell said...

Oh, my gosh, this looks SO GOOD!!!

Deniz Bevan said...

YUM. Love coming by your blog and seeing the gorgeous photos. This recipe especially looks very tantalising. Add some vanilla ice cream...

Reeni said...

My sister used to drive us crazy by watching this over and over. I bet your apple strudel was amazing! I love your theme for the month - looking forward to more.

Anonymous said...

LOVE the musical inspired theme--I adore old musicals! "My Favorite Things" is one of my favorite songs of all time. I can't wait to see what else you come up with...

Emma said...

I am partial to a nice apple strudel - I love the addition of dried cherries too!

Barbara said...

Your apple strudel looks delicious, Beth. I think I'd like it a lot more than watching Sound of Music one more time. I've seen it enough, I think. :)

Emily Malloy said...

Adoooooooooorable!

Jo Schaffer said...

I love old musicals! (= And that dessert looks amazing!

Lorraine said...

Food inspired by musicals sounds fun! I also love the Sound of Music, and My Favorite Things is one of my all-time favorite songs. This apple strudel looks really delicious. I would love to try it:)

Claudia said...

These are indeed "crisp apple strudels" beautifully flavored with dried cherries.

Jeanne said...

Wow, these look incredible. Having just learned how to make homemade phyllo dough, I'll be making these strudels soon!

Deniz Bevan said...

Wow, yourself Jeanne - homemade phyllo dough!

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