Spicy Chicken Strudel with Paprika Cream Sauce & Visit with Book Sniffers Anonymous

Today, Carly Ellen is delighted to appear on Book Sniffers Anonymous. As part of her appearance, Carly Ellen shared a recipe from her novel (below) and related excerpt. Check out Book Sniffers Anonymous – it sure is a fun blog! Carly Ellen and I hope you enjoy the strudel as well… it’s pretty scrumptious.

Spicy Chicken Strudel with Paprika Cream Sauce

Dough:

• 2 ½ cups flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons water

1. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, and sugar in a large bowl.
2. Add beaten eggs, olive oil, and water.
3. Knead well (add another tablespoon of water if necessary) and let rest under a clean cloth for 1 hour.

Filling:

• ½ diced onion
• 1 teaspoon diced Hungarian hot wax pepper (more or less to taste)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken.

1. In a pan over medium heat sauté onion, Hungarian hot wax pepper, and paprika in the olive oil until the onion is translucent. Remove from heat.
2. Stir in sour cream and chicken.

Assembly:

1. Preheat oven to 350° f.
2. On a lightly oiled surface, roll dough into rectangle, approximately 14 x 8 inches.
3. At 1 inch intervals along the long sides, make cuts two inches in toward the center of the rectangle. Place filling in a long, narrow stripe down the center of the dough. Lift cut edges on either side toward each other, working end to end, twist together, and lay flat.
4. Your completed strudel will have a braided appearance. Sprinkle with paprika.
   
5. Bake on a parchment lined pan for 15–20 minutes, or until crust is golden. Slice and serve warm with sour cream.

Excerpt from How to Bake a Chocolate Souffle

Warm ambiance and decadent aromas greeted the well-dressed pair immediately upon their arrival at Első Pesti Rétesház. Madeleine and Fenwick were ushered graciously into what appeared to be the well-appointed dining room of a large private home. The plaster walls were painted a warm gold color and were accented with gilded mirrors, while the small antique wood tables were set with embroidered ivory linens.“Valami inni?” Their waiter inquired. Madeleine looked at Fenwick, who mimed the question by lifting his water glass.“Mineral water, please.”

“Yes,” replied the waiter, indicating that he followed her English.

“Arran tokaji and water,” Fenwick requested. He knew Madeleine was performing again tomorrow and understood her abstinence, but wagered he would be better company with a drink in hand than without. The waiter nodded and disappeared.

“What do you recommend?” Madeleine asked, glancing at a menu she couldn’t read. It was a practical question, given the circumstances, but also a comfortable topic of conversation.

“I haven’t tried anything here that was not to my liking, but the spicy chicken strudel with paprika cream sauce is one of my favorite starters.”

“When in Rome,” Madeleine laughed.