Pear Pomegranate Strudel

Description
A delightful holiday or any occasion dessert that is exotic and tasty with those warm Pears and the pomegranate seeds (full of antioxidants!).



Ingredients

 * 6 ripe pears
 * 3 tablespoons butter
 * ¾ cup dark brown sugar
 * ½ teaspoon cinnamon
 * ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
 * ⅛ teaspoon allspice
 * 1 pinch salt
 * 1 cup pomegranate seeds (1 large pomegranate)
 * 8 sheets frozen phyllo dough
 * 1¼ cups butter, melted

Garnish

 * powdered sugar
 * green colored crystal sugar
 * red colored crystal sugar
 * 1 package red cake decorating gel

Filling

 * 1) Peel, core, and dice pears.
 * 2) Place large, heavy saucepan over high heat until very hot.
 * 3) Melt butter and add pears.
 * 4) Cook 2 minutes more and stir again.
 * 5) Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt over pears.
 * 6) Allow sugar to melt, stirring occasionally.
 * 7) Bring mixture to boil, then remove from heat.
 * 8) Strain liquid from pears.
 * 9) Cook liquid over medium-high heat, stirring often, until volume is reduced to about ½ cup (will have very syrupy consistency).
 * 10) Return pears to saucepan, stir to blend, stir in pomegranate seeds.
 * 11) Cool completely.
 * 12) Filling can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in the refrigerator until needed.

Pastry

 * 1) Preheat oven to 375°F.
 * 2) Place 1 sheet phyllo on dry, flat surface.
 * 3) Brush with melted butter, top with next sheet, repeat with a total of 4 sheets.
 * 4) Return remaining sheets to refrigerator, wrapped in plastic.
 * 5) Cut pastry in quarters.
 * 6) Work with ¼ at a time, leaving others under slightly damp cloth.
 * 7) Place ⅓ cup filling in center of pastry and form into a square.
 * 8) Wrap like a package, folding in sides and brushing with melted butter to secure.
 * 9) Place seam side down on heavy aluminum cookie sheet, brush liberally with butter, and cover with plastic wrap.
 * 10) Continue making packages until you have used all filling.
 * 11) Packages can be assembled a day ahead; brush with butter, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
 * 12) Bake in preheated oven 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
 * 13) Cool to room temperature.
 * 14) Garnish: transfer to work surface.
 * 15) Dust each package with powdered sugar and decorate with gel to resemble a present.
 * 16) Sprinkle serving plate lightly with colored sugars, then top with decorated package.