Pear strudel

Method

1. Preheat a large frying pan over high heat and, when it is very hot, add the sugar and allow it to melt and caramelise for 2–3 minutes or until it turns a deep golden brown. Add the diced pears and lemon juice. Sauté quickly and stir with a metal spoon for about 5 minutes, then add the kruškovac. Remove the pan from the stove.
2. In a food processor, place one-third of the sautéed pears, all of the brown sugar and half the melted butter. Purée until smooth. Stir this mixture back into the remaining pears. Add the crushed sponge fingers, crushed walnuts, dried figs, cinnamon, nutmeg and sultanas. Mix until well combined then set aside to cool.
3. Place a sheet of filo pastry on a work surface and brush with the remaining melted butter. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the breadcrumbs. Top with another sheet of filo pastry and continue to layer with filo and breadcrumbs until you have six layers.
4. Spoon half the pear mixture along the length of the filo, leaving a 3 cm border at the short ends.
5. Fold the ends in and roll the strudel up, lifting it carefully onto a baking tray. Repeat with the remaining sheets of filo and the rest of the fruit. Spray with olive oil and bake for 25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden. Allow to stand for 10 minutes. Slice and dust with icing sugar. Serve the strudel with chocolate sauce and ice cream, if desired.