Rétes (Hungarian Strudel) 🍏🍒🍏
Rétes is a beloved Hungarian pastry that has its roots deep in Hungarian and Austrian culinary traditions. This flaky, buttery strudel is typically filled with sweet or savory fillings, such as apples, cherries, or even cottage cheese. The dough is incredibly thin and delicate, often hand-stretched to create layers of crispiness. It’s a wonderful treat that brings warmth and sweetness to any gathering!
This Hungarian version of strudel is enjoyed worldwide, from the streets of Budapest to homes everywhere. Let’s dive into this delicious, iconic pastry! 😋
🛒 Ingredients (For the Dough):
✅ 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 🌾
✅ 1 tbsp sugar 🍚
✅ ¼ tsp salt 🧂
✅ 2 tbsp vegetable oil 🛢️
✅ 1 egg 🥚
✅ ¾ cup (180ml) lukewarm water 💧
For the Filling (Apple version):
✅ 4-5 large apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced 🍏
✅ ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar 🍚
✅ 1 tsp ground cinnamon 🌿
✅ 1 tbsp lemon juice 🍋
✅ 1 tbsp butter 🧈 (for greasing)
✅ ½ cup breadcrumbs 🍞 (to absorb moisture)
✅ Optional: A handful of raisins or walnuts for extra flavor 🧑🍳
👩🍳 Directions:
1️⃣ Make the Dough
🥣 In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
🧑🍳 Add the egg, oil, and lukewarm water and stir to form a dough.
🌟 Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
🥯 Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. This allows the dough to relax, making it easier to stretch.
2️⃣ Prepare the Filling
🍏 Apple Filling: In a bowl, toss the sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
🍞 Breadcrumbs: In a skillet, melt a bit of butter and toast the breadcrumbs over medium heat until golden brown. This will help absorb any moisture from the apples.
3️⃣ Stretch the Dough
🥢 Prepare your work surface: Lay a clean tablecloth or a large sheet of parchment paper on your counter.
🌟 Roll out the dough into a rough rectangle, then gently stretch it by hand to a very thin sheet. The dough should be so thin you can see through it.
💪 Stretching tip: If the dough tears slightly, don’t worry—patch it up and keep going! The beauty of this dough is in its layers.