Mushroom and Goat Cheese Strudel with Balsamic Syrup

We made this for the first course of our Easter dinner. After I posted a picture I was asked for the recipe. Jessica thought that it would be a great thing to make with some of the goat cheese she intends to buy when she is in provence in a few weeks. Lucky gal. Here you go Jessica!

This recipe was originally from the October 1999 Bon Appetit magazine. Based upon the information on their web site it looks as if it was a reader request recipe from Matt's in the Market in Seattle, Washington. I've made this many times before because it is one of those dishes that impresses the heck out of folks with little effort on your part. Everyone loves it.

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Strudel with Balsamic Syrup

2 tablespoons plus 6 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup Sherry wine vinegar
1/3 cup dry Sherry
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

3 fresh phyllo pastry sheets or frozen, thawed (I actually used six sheets this time to make a thicker crust)
1/2 cup crumbled soft fresh goat cheese (such as Montrachet)

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon mild-flavored (light) molasses

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic; sauté 4 minutes. Increase heat to high. Add mushrooms; sauté until tender and golden, about 15 minutes. Add Sherry wine vinegar, then Sherry; boil until almost all liquid evaporates, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Cool. Mix in 2 tablespoons parsley.

Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface. Brush with 2 teaspoons oil. Top with second phyllo sheet; brush with 2 teaspoons oil. Top with third phyllo sheet. Sprinkle cheese along 1 long side of phyllo, 1 inch in from edge. Spoon mushroom mixture over cheese. Fold short ends over. Starting at long filled side, roll phyllo up tightly. Place seam side down on baking sheet. Brush with remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Using long sharp knife, score top of strudel through phyllo, making 8 evenly spaced cuts. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake strudel until golden brown, about 50 minutes.

Meanwhile, boil balsamic vinegar and molasses in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 2 1/2 tablespoons, about 10 minutes. Cool.

Using serrated knife, cut hot strudel at score marks into 8 rounds. Drizzle balsamic syrup onto each of 4 plates. Place 2 slices of strudel over syrup on each plate.

Comments

[Bellini Valli]

This does sound like something that would impress...look at all that incredible goat cheese:D

[Jerry]

Impress it always does. I may have used more goat cheese than it called for . . . you can't have too much of a good thing can you?

[Marta]

That looks deelish. It would be perfect for vegetarian meal. I'm going to try this soon. Thanks for posting the recipe.

BTW, Matt's is a great restaurant. I highly recommend it.

[Jerry]

Thanks Marta. We are talking about coming west to Seattle and Oregon some time next year. I'll add Matt's to my list of places I'm interested in.

[Kevin]

This sounds really tasty! Thanks for posting the recipe.

[Jerry]

No problem Kevin - enjoy!