- 2 free-range egg yolks
- 50g/1oz caster sugar
- 150m/5fl oz milk
- 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out and retained
- 1 apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 x 20cm/8in squares ready-made croissant pastry
- 1 free-range egg, beaten
- 500ml/18fl oz vegetable oil
- icing sugar, for dusting
- To make the custard, mix the egg yolks and sugar together in a large bowl.
- Place the milk, the vanilla pod and seeds into a saucepan over a medium heat. Bring the milk to just boiling, then remove from the heat and cool for one minute. Remove the vanilla pod.
- Gradually pour the warm vanilla milk into the yolk mixture, while whisking continuously and vigorously.
- Pour this mixture back into the saucepan and gently heat, stirring continuously. When the custard reaches a consistency that coats the back of a wooden spoon it is ready.
- To make the strudel, place the apple, cinnamon and sugar into a bowl and toss together.
- Place the pastry squares onto a clean floured surface. Divide the apple mixture into three portions and place a portion into the centre of each pastry square.
- Brush around the edge of each pastry square with the beaten egg, then fold over to seal and create a stuffed triangle strudel.
- Brush over each triangle with egg wash.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a deep, heavy bottomed saucepan until a breadcrumb sizzles and turns brown when added to it. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous, do not leave unattended.)
- Carefully add the strudels to the oil and deep-fry until crisp and golden, then carefully remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen towels. Dust with icing sugar.
- To serve, arrange the apple strudels onto a plate and drizzle over some of the custard.