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Savory Strudel without Butter

17/11/2023

I can suggest a recipe for a savory strudel without butter. The traditional strudel dough includes butter, but it’s possible to make a variant of the dough without butter and use olive oil as a substitute. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 250 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 100 ml lukewarm water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus a little for brushing)
  • A pinch of salt

For the filling:

  • 300 g fresh or frozen spinach
  • 200 g ricotta
  • 100 g crumbled feta cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Olive oil for sautéing

Preparation

  1. To make the dough, sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the center. Add the egg, olive oil, salt, and gradually the lukewarm water, starting to knead until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous dough. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. If using frozen spinach, thaw and squeeze out excess water. If fresh, wash and cook quickly in a pan with a drizzle of oil and the minced garlic until wilted.
  3. In a bowl, mix the ricotta with the crumbled feta cheese, add the spinach and chopped onion, and combine everything. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.
  4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface, trying to shape it into the thinnest possible rectangle. Spread the filling over the dough, leaving a free margin around the edges.
  5. Roll the dough onto itself starting from the long side, seal the edges well, and tuck the ends under the strudel.
  6. Brush the surface with a little olive oil and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 30-40 minutes or until the strudel is golden brown.
  7. Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Fun Fact

Strudel is a typical dish of Austrian and Central European cuisine, best known in its sweet version with apples and raisins. However, this preparation can be easily adapted to create savory variants with different types of fillings, as in this butter-free version that uses spinach and cheeses for a light and flavorful option.