- 2 free-range egg yolks
 - 50g/1oz caster sugar
 - 150m/5fl oz milk
 - 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped out and retained
 - 1 apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
 - 1 tbsp cinnamon
 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
 - 3 x 20cm/8in squares ready-made croissant pastry
 - 1 free-range egg, beaten
 - 500ml/18fl oz vegetable oil
 - icing sugar, for dusting
 
- To make the custard, mix the egg yolks and sugar together in a large bowl.
 - Place the milk, the vanilla pod and seeds into a saucepan over a medium heat. Bring the milk to just boiling, then remove from the heat and cool for one minute. Remove the vanilla pod.
 - Gradually pour the warm vanilla milk into the yolk mixture, while whisking continuously and vigorously.
 - Pour this mixture back into the saucepan and gently heat, stirring continuously. When the custard reaches a consistency that coats the back of a wooden spoon it is ready.
 - To make the strudel, place the apple, cinnamon and sugar into a bowl and toss together.
 - Place the pastry squares onto a clean floured surface. Divide the apple mixture into three portions and place a portion into the centre of each pastry square.
 - Brush around the edge of each pastry square with the beaten egg, then fold over to seal and create a stuffed triangle strudel.
 - Brush over each triangle with egg wash.
 - Heat the vegetable oil in a deep, heavy bottomed saucepan until a breadcrumb sizzles and turns brown when added to it. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous, do not leave unattended.)
 - Carefully add the strudels to the oil and deep-fry until crisp and golden, then carefully remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen towels. Dust with icing sugar.
 - To serve, arrange the apple strudels onto a plate and drizzle over some of the custard.