So the weeks have been rolling into one another the past five weeks while we've been under a strict lockdown; I sometimes wake up not knowing what day it is as every day feels like a Saturday!
We've moved to a less restrictive (so they say) level and can now at least buy clothes and not just food and medicine, but we cannot buy any underwear!
Does that make any sense to you?
Only tradesmen are allowed to buy from the hardware store, but there are certain forbidden items like...paint...I kid you not!
Why only tradesmen and why paint is forbidden totally beats me! This is the perfect time to paint with all the time everyone has on their hands!
We have to wear a mask if we step outside our property or be faced with a hefty fine, don't mind that but... even when alone in your car!
Do you understand that kind of thinking?
Thank goodness for all the challenges here on Hive which is keeping me sane, especially our weekly Fruits and Veggies Monday that's here come rain or sunshine!
So a standing ovation for 
Many of us have been real busy having a whole load of fun in the kitchen cooking and baking, and I really thought I'd be putting on the pounds but not so!
All I can put it down to, is that I have not indulged in my usual candy since lockdown started, yet I've been able to enjoy treats like the Braided Date & Apple Strudel I made especially for you today!
So here it is - a Vegan Braided Date & Apple Strudel with a mock flaky pastry.
RECIPE
Mock flaky Pastry
- 180 gram Vegan Butter, ice cold
- 2 cups Stoneground Unbleached Cake Flour
- Pinch Salt
- 1/2 cup Sparkling Water
- 4 Tbsp Lemon Juice
Filling - 4 Granny Smith Apples - diced
- 1/2 cup Dates - diced
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
Cut butter into little squares, place on top of flour and mix in food mixer till it resembles fine crumbs.
Add liquid and mix till a ball of pastry is formed.
Roll into a long rectangle, dust with a little flour, fold into thirds and roll out again into neat rectangle.
Cut sides into strips for braiding, leaving centre intact for filling.
Place mixed filling ingredients in centre.
Braid pastry to enclose filling nicely, brush with a little Almond Milk & dust with a sugar cinnamon mix.
Bake at 180°C for approx 40 min or till pastry is golden brown and cooked through; we don't want any soggy bottoms now do we;)
I had a little pastry and filling leftover so made a smaller version which is peeping out the back.
Lovely spicy Date & Apple Strudel especially for morning tea.
BON APPETIT MY FRIENDS
Thank you for stopping by
Copyright
