Hungarian Ham Strudel with Watercress Salad
James Carrier
Notes: Frozen filo handles best if thawed in the refrigerator at least 8 hours or overnight. If sheets tear, just piece them together. For a zippier flavor, use a hot paprika.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Trim and discard ends of green onions. Chop onions and mix with rice, cheese, paprika, caraway, and capers.
Step 2
2
Lay 1 filo sheet flat (cover remaining filo with plastic wrap to prevent drying) and brush lightly with butter. Top with another filo sheet and brush lightly with more butter. Repeat to stack remaining filo.
Step 3
3
Starting about 1 inch from a narrow edge, lay ham slices over filo (overlapping as needed) to cover about 1/3 of dough, leaving a 1- to 2-inch margin on the sides. Evenly pat rice mixture over ham. Roll filo from ham end to enclose filling. With seam down, gently transfer strudel roll to a buttered baking sheet (at least 11 by 14 in., without side rims). Lightly brush strudel with butter.
Step 4
4
Bake in a 400° oven until golden brown all over, 15 to 17 minutes.
Step 5
5
Meanwhile, mix sour cream with mustard in a small bowl. Mix watercress with vinegar.
Step 6
6
Using 2 wide spatulas, slide strudel onto a platter, cut into thick slices, and accompany with watercress salad. Add sour cream sauce to taste.
Ingredients
6 green onions
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Swiss cheese
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon caraway seed
2 tablespoons drained capers
6 sheets filo dough (about 12 by 18 in.)
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 pound thin-sliced cooked ham
1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 to 3 tablespoons coarse-grain Dijon mustard
1/2 pound watercress, rinsed and crisped
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
Directions
Step 1
1
Trim and discard ends of green onions. Chop onions and mix with rice, cheese, paprika, caraway, and capers.
Step 2
2
Lay 1 filo sheet flat (cover remaining filo with plastic wrap to prevent drying) and brush lightly with butter. Top with another filo sheet and brush lightly with more butter. Repeat to stack remaining filo.
Step 3
3
Starting about 1 inch from a narrow edge, lay ham slices over filo (overlapping as needed) to cover about 1/3 of dough, leaving a 1- to 2-inch margin on the sides. Evenly pat rice mixture over ham. Roll filo from ham end to enclose filling. With seam down, gently transfer strudel roll to a buttered baking sheet (at least 11 by 14 in., without side rims). Lightly brush strudel with butter.
Step 4
4
Bake in a 400° oven until golden brown all over, 15 to 17 minutes.
Step 5
5
Meanwhile, mix sour cream with mustard in a small bowl. Mix watercress with vinegar.
Step 6
6
Using 2 wide spatulas, slide strudel onto a platter, cut into thick slices, and accompany with watercress salad. Add sour cream sauce to taste.
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