Email to Cat      

Spicy Cheddar Cheese Straws

Source of Recipe

From "The Cheese Lover's Cookbook & Guide" by Paula Lambert


Recipe Introduction

"When I was a child, friends of my parents always gave our family tins of cheese straws as Christmas gifts. I would sneak downstairs into the living room and pry open the tins that were carefully placed under the Christmas tree. I can still remember the intense and cheesy aroma that escaped from the tin when it was opened. And I can still taste the spicy flavor of the cheese straws. These cheese straws are great with wine and cocktails. They make a fine accompaniment to soups and salads. One word of caution: You won't be able to eat just one."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 8 ounces sharp Cheddar, shredded (2 cups)
â—¦ 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened
â—¦ 1 ½ teaspoons grated onion
â—¦ ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
â—¦ 3 dashes Tabasco sauce
â—¦ ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
â—¦ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
â—¦ ½ teaspoon salt
â—¦ 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
â—¦ 1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated (¼ cup)


Recipe

Place the Cheddar, butter, onion, Worcestershire, Tabasco, dry mustard, cayenne, and salt in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until combined and smooth. Add the flour and pulse just until the flour begins to disappear and the dough is in pea-sized balls; be careful not to overmix the dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it quickly and gently until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into thirds. Wrap each with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Pat or roll each piece of dough into a rectangle about 6 x 4 x ½ inches. With a sharp knife, cut the dough crosswise into ½-inch strips. Pick up each strip of dough, gently twist it like a corkscrew, and set on the parchment-lined baking sheet, placing the strips 1 ½ inches apart. Sprinkle the strips with the Parmigiano. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let stand for 5 minutes, then transfer the cheese straws with a spatula to a wire rack to cool. Serve, or store in a tightly covered container for up to 5 days.

Makes about 36 straws