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FROM THE MESSAGE TREE KITCHEN

Delicious Apple Turnovers

submitted by: Ann Crabtree

The following recipe is more involved, but really turns out delicious. Turnovers are meant to be saved for dessert, as an alternative to the traditional apple pie. If your guests are really feeling decadent, serve the turnovers with vanilla ice cream. Yum! Yum!

APPLE TURNOVERS FILLING:

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped (2 1/4 cups)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

8 sheets phyllo (or filo) pastry, thawed if frozen

Butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray

Cinnamon sugar: 2 teaspoons granulated sugar mixed with 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

1.Mix all filling ingredients.
2. Place stacked sheets of phyllo on a flat surface and cover with plastic wrap to keep from drying out.

3. Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface. Lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray. Top with another sheet. Cut lengthwise in three 4-inch-wide strips. Move strips apart. Mound 1 heaping tablespoon filling at one end about 1 inch from corner. Fold opposite corner at same end over filling, forming a triangle. Continue folding your way up the strip, as you would a flag, to the end.

4. Repeat with remaining phyllo and the filling. You’ll have 12 turnovers. (Can be made ahead up to this point and frozen on a tray or cookie sheet. When firm, pack in plastic bags.)

5. To bake freshly made or frozen turnovers: Heat oven to 400° F. Lightly coat a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

6.Arrange turnovers seam-side down on prepared cookie sheet. Lightly spray tops with cooking spray. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake 15 to 17 minutes, or until golden. Remove to wire rack to cool.

Serves 12.

The apple turnovers can be piped with the gel icing with the names of the guests at your table. Place on doily on dessert plate that rests on dinner plate. When everyone is seated, the turnovers can be moved from the dinner plate until dessert time.