An appealing dish from Matts in the Market in Seattle, Washington.

Makes 4 first-course servings.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2tablespoons plus 6 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2cup thinly sliced shallots
  • 4garlic cloves, minced
  • 1pound mushrooms, chopped
  • 1/4cup sherry wine vinegar
  • 1/3cup dry sherry
  • 2tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley3fresh phyllo pastry sheets or frozen, thawed
  • 1/2cup crumbled soft fresh goat cheese (such as montrachet)1/2cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1tablespoon mild-flavored (light) molasses

    DIRECTIONS

    Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic; sauté 4 minutes. Increase heat to high. Add mushrooms; sauté until tender and golden, about 15 minutes. Add Sherry wine vinegar, then Sherry; boil until almost all liquid evaporates, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Cool. Mix in 2 tablespoons parsley.


    Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface. Brush with 2 teaspoons oil. Top with second phyllo sheet; brush with 2 teaspoons oil. Top with third phyllo sheet. Sprinkle cheese along 1 long side of phyllo, 1 inch in from edge. Spoon mushroom mixture over cheese. Fold short ends over. Starting at long filled side, roll phyllo up tightly. Place seam side down on baking sheet. Brush with remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Using long sharp knife, score top of strudel through phyllo, making 8 evenly spaced cuts. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)


    Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake strudel until golden brown, about 50 minutes.

    Meanwhile, boil balsamic vinegar and molasses in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to 2 1/2 tablespoons, about 10 minutes. Cool.


    Using serrated knife, cut hot strudel at score marks into 8 rounds. Drizzle balsamic syrup onto each of 4 plates. Place 2 slices of strudel over syrup on each plate.