Superfruit strudel

Serves 6-8 Prepration 20 mins Cooking time: 35-40 mins

INGREDIENTS: For the filling

1 x 350g pack frozen sweet cherries, defrosted

1 tsp tapioca flour or cornflour 2 purple plums, pitted and cut in cherry-sized pieces

75 mixed dried berries and fruit, such as raisins and cranberries

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract grated zest of 1 small orange 3 drops almond extract, optional

350g pack filo pastry light olive oil cooking spray

METHOD:

For the filling: Drain the cherries in a colander over a bowl. Put 1 tbsp of the juice in a bowl, add the tapioca or cornflour and mix vigorously to a smooth cream. (Use the spare juice in smoothies and fruit salads.)

Put the remaining filling ingredients in small saucepan and heat gently until steaming. Stir in the tapioca cream and bring to the boil, stirring gently until it thickens. Remove from heat and cool until needed.

To assemble and bake: Heat oven to 200°C. Line a rimmed baking tray with baking parchment. Lay a large piece of baking parchment on a clean dry tea towel.

Take 6 sheets of filo pastry and cover them with cling film or a clean, dry tea towel to prevent them drying out.

Working quickly, lay the first sheet of filo on the second piece of baking parchment. Starting at the edges (most prone to drying out) spritz the whole sheet evenly with the olive oil then carefully lay the second sheet of pastry directly on top of the first one and smooth gently. Repeat until you have 6 layers of pastry.

Spread the filling in a 5-cm band about 7.5 cm from the edge of the pastry nearest to you, leaving 2.5 cm of pastry clear of fruit at either side.

Turn the sides of the pastry in to seal in the juices and using the paper and tea-towel, roll into a strudel. Spritz the top and sides with an even layer of olive oil then transfer to the lined baking tray, seam down. Make 6-8 diagonal slashes through the top layer of pastry to make it easier to slice once baked.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until crisp and golden brown and serve within two hours, warm, on its own or with creme fraiche, Greek yoghurt, smetana or vanilla ice cream.

If making ahead freeze the filled, uncooked strudel on a baking tray for 30 minutes until very firm, then wrap tightly with cling film then foil and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Bake from frozen at 190°C for 35-45 minutes until the pastry is crisp and a rich golden brown.