Perfect for Company
My mom is completely old-fashioned most of the time. Even though she thinks I’m making fun of her when I point it out, I find it endearing.
That’s not to say I’m not fearful that I’ll get an annoyed phone call after she reads this. But she still has a dial-up connection, so it’ll be at least a good three hours before this post fully loads, which gives me a pretty good head start.
She calls wallets “billfolds.”
She irons all my dad’s shirts. Pea Daddy won’t let me even touch his hot Tommy Bahama numbers. Like I would intentionally singe a pineapple-covered button up.
She wears things like “pantyhose” and slips. And even underwear.
She teaches the girls songs about how to “pick a bale of cotton.” Admittedly, Lulu stomping her foot and singing with a twang is irresistible.
She taps into her high school Spanish, uses very loud broken English and some sort of weird sign language every time we go out for Mexican food. Okay, that’s not so much old-fashioned, but it is absolutely hilarious.
One of my favorite dated traditions of my mom’s though has to do with entertaining. And by that I mean that she assumes I do any.
She’ll come across a dessert recipe, pick up a cake on sale at the store, or even just sample something from my kitchen and say, “Oh, you should just slip this in the freezer and then you can just pull it out for company!”
Company, Mom?
“You know, when your friends just stop by unexpectedly and you want to offer them coffee and dessert.”
Um, my friends know better than to stop by without warning. That’s why they are still my friends. And if anyone did stop by without calling, I sure as sugar peas wouldn’t reward them with baked goods.
For all the teasing I do, it’s quite fitting that as I’m getting older, I’m turning into my mom. I realized this when I took this strudel out of the oven and actually said out loud, “This would be perfect for company!”
And then my mom stopped by unexpectedly, so I hiked up my control top pantyhose and offered her dessert and coffee.
Easy Blueberry Strudel
Serves 6-8
- 4 c. organic blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/4 c. water
- 1/4 c. organic sugar + 1 t. for sprinkling
- 1 T. lemon juice
- 1/2 t. cinnamon
- 1/2 t. nutmeg
- 10 sheets whole wheat fillo dough (i.e. The Fillo Factory brand), thawed according to package directions
- 2 T. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance), melted
- organic or non-dairy vanilla ice cream (i.e. So Delicious)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, water, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat and simmer for around 10 minutes.
Remove from heat. Sauce will seem thin, but will thicken upon cooling.
Grab a large baking sheet, preferably one with a slight edge. Lightly spritz with cooking spray or oil.
Lay one sheet of fillo dough on the bottom of the pan and brush with a small amount of melted margarine.
Repeat with an additional four sheets of fillo dough, brushing with margarine between each sheet.
After five sheets of dough have been layered, top with the blueberry filling and spread to the corners of the pan.
Layer the remaining fillo dough on top of the berries, one sheet at a time, brushing each sheet with margarine between layers.
Tuck the edges of the dough into the pan carefully, brush with one last bit of margarine and sprinkle with a teaspoon of sugar.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until dough is just starting to turn golden brown.
Allow strudel to cool slightly before cutting into squares.
Serve with ice cream, if desired.
Simple, yet elegant.
With a delicious, slightly sweet filling and a flaky crust, this strudel has the old-fashioned charm of something my mom would serve to company.
Heck, something I’d serve for company.
Don’t be surprised if you come by and find I’ve whipped up a little banana soft serve, plopped it on top of this strudel and passed it off as breakfast.
Just do me a favor and call first. That way we can still be friends.
Haha, your mom sounds a lot like mine! She is always making suggestions about things to have for company. This recipe looks easy and tasty, I’ve actually never seen or tried whole wheat fillo dough before!
You could use regular fillo dough too, but I just liked that there was a whole wheat option. I found mine at Whole Foods.
I’m with you. It’s much more likely that someone who “pops in” at my house will be served a tall glass of “please call next time” and a nice plate of stink eye and not so much dessert and coffee…
And I am so turning in to my mother too. It’s inevitable and I’ve sort of just accepted it.
That strudel really does look lovely though…
A tall glass of “please call next time.” Love it!
and I swear I read this comment after I made mine!! you turn us all into Peas In A Pod over here…
I set y’all up with the best punch lines
Yum, this looks divine!
and just so you know, I catered a small get-together to celebrate my friend’s return from Africa (no big) and my menu featured your clean greek salad, roasted tomato and olive pasta, and vegan carrot cake (obviously i seem to trust you). it was my first time making everything and oh my god, everything was FABULOUS. even my family raved about the leftovers (and i helped myself to 5 more servings of pasta and polished off the carrot cake within 2 days). thanks, mama pea!
Oh my gosh, that is WONDERFUL! And that sounds like a party I would love to go to. So glad the recipeas didn’t disappoint!
This is gorgeous. I have a good friend who always makes strudel when we have dinner parties. Maybe I can show her up with this recipe
Because friendship is really all about showing the other one up
My mom thought the dough was homemade! (I’m not THAT old-fashioned, yet)
Haha. Love it. My mom not only calls a wallet a billfold, but a purse a pocketbook.
I totally got made fun of for saying “billfold” until I was about 25. I won’t tell you what she calls feminine hygiene products.
Now I’ve got to know!
looks really yummy I remember eating apple strudel when I was little haven’t had a strudel in ages.
phyllo and I are not good friends but I just might have to give this recipe a try as soon as my blueberries are ripe. The squirrels or deer got the last batch of berries.
Am I spelling fillo dough wrong? I had it phyllo but then the package said fillo? And you could absolutely sub apples for the blueberries!
I don’t think you are I think it is spelled a bunch of different ways I blame growning up in europe I spell things different all the time.
my girls would love if their was such thing as strawberry strudel
Just sub strawberries! And thanks for the spelling info. I’m kind of neurotic about spelling and grammar.
Your mom sounds adorable! My mom still makes the same 5 dishes she ALWAYS has. I always make fun of her because she just rotates these dishes from week to week. Not sure if that is old-fashion, but its definitely not very exciting. But it works for her and makes her happy and that’s all that I care about.
That strudel looks awesome. Old fashion she may be, but those old recipes are always the best! (Especially dessert)
I’d love to hear those Top 5! And then I’d make ‘em.
I sure wish I could pop on over for some of that (I’d be sure to call first)!
This post cracked me up! Especially the part about your mom at the Mexican restaurant. I’m still laughing about it.
MAS chips for our table POR FAVOR???!!
The hubs and I went out to dinner at a very fancy restaurant a few years ago. Our table-crumb-scraper (told you it was a nice restaurant), who was a nice hispanic gentleman, asked how our meal was and my hubby said (rather loudly) “EXCELENTE!” Then he leaned over to me and asked, “Is that a word?” I could have died.
Ha ha ha! I’m in tears over here.
I so wish I was confident in my home being clean all the time — because I would love to have people stop over and we’d have dessert and coffee, etc. Not going to happen. Not unless I can hire a few people to cook and clean in my house.
I’d just like it if people weren’t roaming around the house without pants on. I’m not naming names.
Oh, gotta love those old fashioned moms! If you see a woman in the grocery sporting knee highs with capris and those spongy pink curlers in her hair buying all the meat, potatoes, and gravy fixings, that’s my mom. I will stick with yoga pants, a 15 year old cross country t shirt, a french braid and a cart of fruits and veggies, thank you! Cannot wait to try this strudel!
Your mom sounds like a riot!
I am not a huge fan of phyllo but I would make this because it looks delicious!
I’m not either!
girrrrrrl you said it – unexpected guests are not my friends
Yummmmm, I love struedel! My favorite is with apples, although blueberries right now are pretty much an addiction!
Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to call first
You could make it with apples too! In fact, I have leftover dough, so I just might!
My mom HATES when people show up unannounced, but when she has company over, she always makes enough food to feed a small army!! But its ok cause we get awesome leftovers for the next few days:)
This post had me cracking up. The strudel looks wonderful, too. Maybe if I have some expected guests, I’ll whip it up.
I hope you don’t (have unexpected guests) but I hope you do (whip this up!).
Your momisms had me laughing out loud!!
This post was ESPECIALLY hilarious!!
“But she still has a dial-up connection, so it’ll be at least a good three hours before this post fully loads”
“Um, my friends know better than to stop by without warning. That’s why they are still my friends.”
“Like I would intentionally singe a pineapple-covered button up.”
Thank you for the laughs!!
I have never worked with Fillo dough. My sister makes tons of quickie appetizers with it and I know some women just make tons of things with it…for their company that stops by…ha! But I have never used it. Now that I am seeing how easy it is…I am going to get some. And impress all the people who know better than to “just drop by”…my god, does anyone really do that anymore?
And thank you for the Birthday well wishes on my Facebook wall
I hope you had a great day!
“Control top pantyhouse” had me laughing out loud. I still remember my mom buying those from Casual Corner (remember that store? Or maybe it was an east coast thing) back in the day. I might’ve even worn hers a time or two in the awkward pre-teen years.
I honestly cannot remember the last time I wore a pair of nylons. I can’t stand ‘em!
I can’t stand pantyhose either, so I bought a garterbelt and stockings. So much more comfortable, a million times easier to use the bathroom in (don’t have to worry about sticking your thumb through them mid-workday because you don’t have to pull them up!), and I feel a lot sexier in them than pantyhose! haha
I have a different approach…I just don’t wear anything or go anywhere that requires nylons!
A new use for Phyllo dough!! Woo Hoo.
Our household was never much for casual company…but my mom definitely knows how to cook up some food to feed an army
Yum! Pea to the S, berries are Buy One Get One free at a lot of grocery stores this week. Perfect time to pick up blueberries!
I literally left you a comment just when you were leaving me one. Weird!!!!
Jinx!
You owe me a Coke! (Hold the rum. And probably the Coke too.)
Anything with fillo and berries- sign me up!
I do have a confession – I made my bridesmaids wear control top pantyhose during the ceremony and pictures at my wedding (it was a free for all after though). In my defense, this was before Spanx – I just wanted them to all look smooth!
I was just thinking that control top nylons are the same as built-in Spanx! What about the nylons with built-in underwear? Gross!
Yeah – that’s where I draw the line! I can’t even imagine wearing those things for more than an hour or two. They get all hot and sweaty. Yeah, I just went there.
Your mom sounds like a lot of fun!
I’m an old soul myself.
Whole wheat fillo (phyllo?)! That is exciting. I didn’t know they made such a thing.
Oh, and do you use a paint brush for the melted margarine, or does it just look like one? If so, that’s a great idea.
HAH your mom’s old fashioned behavior reminds me of my best friend’s grandmother. She had the pantyhose wearing, foreign language speaking, and dial up using down pat.
This strudel looks so good! I love anything wrapped in filo dough
And you can anticipate my call soon!
Now I really hope my mom doesn’t read this post if she reminds you of your friend’s grandma!
Don’t worry, her grandmother is only 60 and still beautiful
Oh good!
“if they did stop by without calling, I sure wouldn’t reward them with baked goods” – HA! no kidding. lukewarm water and the side eye is all you get from me if you’re knocking on my door unannounced. MAYBE water.
I love fillo factory, and this looks AMAAAAAAZING.
I assume side eye and stink eye are quite similar.
That sounds AMAZING! And I think I want to take your mom to a Mexican restaurant, just to see the show
It is quite entertaining. I didn’t even tell you about the time we actually took her TO Mexico.
Mama Pea, your blogs always make me smile
Your sense of humor is great, as well as your recipes. I have tried a bunch of them already including the better bay biscuits (yum!), and the cookie dough balls which i have taken to work and my coworkers couldn’t believe something vegan could taste so good, and i’ve had a lot of requests for the recipe as well!
)
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months but this is my first time commenting (stalker anyone?
Anyway thanks again and good night!
Sally, you are the best! Thank you so much for leaving this comment. It made my night!
The blueberry filling looks incredible just on its own! I’d probably end up only making that, and using it in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or just pouring it directly over a bowl of vanilla ice cream.
Now I wish I actually had some!
It was good…very jam like. Lulu didn’t care for the fillo, so she had it on her banana soft serve straight up!
Hee hee – my mom does the loud talking with her Spanish too. She actually does it anytime she is trying to talk to someone who doesn’t speak English as a first language. I’m always saying ‘mom, they aren’t hard of hearing, saying the word loudly doesn’t make a difference.’
I made some veggie wraps with phyllo dough a few months ago. My daughter loved painting on the oil between layers. She keeps asking me to make something again that she can use a paintbrush on.
Lulu was just made I took her paintbrush.
I love poking fun at mom when she’s not looking:) I will have some serious ammo after the summer’s up and we’re back in our place.
I’m so excited to blueberry pick this year again! Love the sound of this dessert.
P.S. Cheese sauce with “earth balance” turned out awesome! ; )
I hope my mom is talking to me tomorrow. Don’t tell her you read this.
Glad the cheese sauce turned out!
At least your mom surfs the internet regularly, mine checks email maybe once a week. And calls me cursing when she does because the “stupid computer” isn’t behaving.
This looks amazing, like a perfect breakfast or dinner to me.
It’s definitely berry season – this little treat is perfect! I’m actually very intimidated by phyllo/fillo dough – it seems so delicate. Maybe for this though, I’d overcome that fear!
I was always intimidated by it too, but isn’t as difficult as I thought!
I want that dessert now
Cute story about your mom.
The strudel looks extremely delish! I’ve never seen whole wheat fillo dough..very cool! It looks so flaky…mmm I’m allowed to stop over unexpectedly, right?
Yup, Ash, you are one of the few exceptions. Are you coming?!?
If only I could find whole wheat filo here! American is a magical, magical place…
Hello Sarah, I’m a university student from China and have been following your blog for almost a good year! Absolutely loving the recipes and the idea of healthy eating, esp. your tofu recipes – tofu’s my all time fav! Would love to share with you some traditional Chinese tofu dishes my mom does if you are interested.
Sure, send me an email to peasandthankyou@hotmail.com! I’d love to see what your mom makes!
I know~whatever happened to the cozy old ways of having neighbors and all sorts of people come over our homes? This makes me want to bake like crazy and open up my house more!
I still don’t know why your neighbors haven’t figured this out yet and don’t stop by every hour on the hour in the hopes of securing some goods.
My chain smoking neighbor lady is crazy and spends her days yelling at her little dogs to “go poo-poo” and manicuring her perfect lawn/garden, but if she created stuff like this dessert, I would brave the elements and “pop in” as often as possible.
Moral of the story? Be glad I’m not your neighbor…or maybe that my neighbor isn’t your neighbor.
I’d still want you as my neighbor, but you can keep chain-smoking, dog poop lady.
Looks yummy, MP!
Oh goodness…thank you for this recipe! I used to have blueberry turnovers regularly for breakfast but I think they were Pillsbury or some other trans-fat laden frozen thingy (kept in the freezer for company of course!) so this recipe fits the bill perfectly.
And since I never have company I can keep them all to myself (:
We used to eat the Pepperidge Farms Turnovers growing up and these were highly reminiscent.
I love that photo of Pea D and the girls!! And the blueberry strudel, of course, looks great. I even have Filo Factory dough in my freezer – coincidence/!?
Perfect!
I’ve never been able to find ww philo – thanks for the name brand! And your mom sounds so sweet
She’s a doll face. I hope she’ll talk to me today.
ohhhh, that looks scrumptious!! *droooll*
This is a random question n wudda been more fitting in your previous post but oh well, do you think at some point in time you’ll return to work as a lawyer?! Altho i dont have children ‘yet’ I’ve been pondering lately if I would like to pursue my clinical doctorate, esp. in my field of study where I can practise with only my M.S. but i would ‘realllllyyy’ like to study further!! but, i dont want to spend the non-existent $50K if I decide to be a stay-at-home mom!! boooo, such a struggle!!
I actually just emailed a reader about this very same question yesterday. I can email you too if you are interested!
It would be much appreciated!! I’ve really been struggling with this lately. “Merci beaucoup!!”
Okay, it’s on its way!
My mom always doubles meals so she can freeze some for later or for company. She wears pantyhose and slips and doesn’t know how to turn her laptop on. And she’s always reminding me that girls grow up to be just like their moms.
That strudel looks so delicious, an easy-but-impressive dessert. I love that you made your own blueberry sauce. I feel like just making the sauce and pouring it over pancakes or ice cream. Before I get the phylo dough and have to share with company!
You could absolutely just make the sauce and put it on ANYTHING.
This looks so yummy! Blueberries are my favorite! BUT, I don’t think I want this badly enough to go to the grocery store for the 6th time in 5 days… it’s going to have to wait! I hope no unexpected company comes in the meantime!
Hahha, I love your humor so much!
That strudel looks mighty fine, I wish I could take bite. Right. Now.
Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous this time (actually, always, but now I found them stunning).
Thank you, Sara! It’s hard to make melting ice cream look bad…
The great thing about this strudel, is that it can be enjoyed on the plastic covered davenport. Gotta love those vintage Moms!
LOL! Davenport!!!!
oh this was endearing!…love your mother’s ways…i wish we lived in a world that one would/could stop by to say hi….i grew up in a Polish household and in Poland, this was the norm…but now we live in an age of heavy scheduling–and being spontaneous does not fit too well into my friends or my lives…thanks for sharing
speaking of company… when shall i invite myself over?? =)
Whenever you want! It’s been too long
You’re too funny and I’m sure you’ll mom will enjoy this post! i keep thinking about blackberries, so maybe I should try this and sub in blackberries instead. Either way, looks delish and passes as breakfast any day, in my books!
I haven’t talked to my mom yet today…I’m scared.
My mom is old fashioned too. I both love and hate it.
You are so funny – the control-top pantyhose thing had me howling! This dessert is lovely and I bet you could tell your little peas you made them homemade pop tarts!
They don’t even know what Pop Tarts are!!! (I’m not sure what that says about me)
That says awesome things about you.
Ha ha. I hope they always feel that way…
Oh, oh dear. Anyone who knows me well knows that if they ever show up unannounced they most likely aren’t even going to be invited inside, let alone served anything.
My dad came over once and every time I didn’t do the “proper” thing explained to me how I was supposed to be doing it. Apparently you immediately answer the door (never leave a guest waiting), immediately offer them a seat (guests don’t like to stand) and then food or drink must be offered (because apparently a guest hasn’t been able to partake in either all day). LOL
I’ve had a similar conversation with relatives, when the girls were just babies. Uh, sorry, I have a child attached to my body currently, your own beverage desires aren’t really at the top of my list of concerns.
this is so funny and sweet. I’m so with you on the company just “stopping by” unexpectedly. how rude! haha.
looks delicious and perfect for summer!
“Um, my friends know better than to stop by without warning. That’s why they are still my friends. And if anyone did stop by without calling, I sure as sugar peas wouldn’t reward them with baked goods.” – this had me seriously rolling!! You crack me up… and I can totally relate ! Totally. Esp the ‘not rewarding them’ part ;P
I’ve been looking for whole wheat filo dough for ages!!! I guess I’ll have to look more closely at Whole Foods! Thanks!
Your mom is MY mom……and that’s what I’m becoming, and so are you…….universe explodes!!
If I ever had company, I would totally serve that
VEGAN STRUDEL! YEEEEEEES!
I got the book preview today and it made me EVEN MORE excited to buy the full book when it come out! Cannot wait!
PS: “And then my mom stopped by unexpectedly, so I hiked up my control top pantyhose and offered her dessert and coffee”<- made me laugh out loud!
I’m glad you liked it, Kaila! Thanks.
My mom tells me the same only its always about having refreshments if/when company comes over… I’ve found my self telling my husband the exact same thing when shopping. His blank stare has stayed with me since
Can I just say I LOVE LOVE LOVE your mom?? Ok, I just did.
If I tell you in a comment that I’ll be over tomorrow would that suffice?
Hilarious post!!!
Ice cream is a requirement and this looks amazing. I have some of that same dough in my freezer! I love making fun of my mom, too, it’s definitely endearing. You should hear us around each other. You would think we hated each other the way we make fun of each other!
I wish my mom would dish it back. She’s much nicer than I am.
Hi Sarah,
Thanks so much for posting this wonderful recipe and recommending our whole-wheat fillo dough. The blueberries make this the perfect summertime treat! We’re so glad you enjoyed it.
We wanted to let you know that we would like to tweet this page to our followers and post a link to it on our Facebook page as well. If you or your readers are interested in learning more about our foods (natural and organic, vegetarian/vegan, OU-kosher), please give us a visit at the links below.
Thanks again and keep up the fantastic work on your blog.
Best wishes,
Sara
The Fillo Factory
http://facebook.com/fillofactory
http://twitter.com/fillofactory
http://www.fillofactory.com (new site coming soon!)
Sure, Sara, spread the love!!!