Simplest Cheese Straws

Posted by Vanessa in Cooking, January 19, 2011

Tags: ,

The Phoenix thought these looked like humongous fries from across the room (this picture, that is).  Maybe, huh?

Anyways, this is (as long as you have a food processor, which thanks to a couple gift cards, I finally do…hallelujah!) very quick and simple to prepare and quite yummy for a random middle-of-the-day snack.  Sure to please the kiddos, and you too.  They really are quite irresistible; I think I ate half of them before they even made it onto a plate.  They’d make a fun appetizer at a party too.

I used a medium cheddar because that’s what I had in the fridge, but I’d imagine a wide assortment of cheeses would work just as well, so try it out with whatever you like.  It just has to be a cheese you can grate, so nothing too soft.  I’d love to hear what you try it with!

Cheese-Straws

recipe from How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
Details
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes.
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes.
  • Ready in 23 Minutes.
  • Makes: 6 Servings
Ingredients
  • 1 pound Cheddar or other hard, flavorful cheese (I used a medium cheddar.)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 8 tablespoons chilled butter
  • few drops ice water, if necessary (I found it necessary.)
  • kosher salt, for sprinkling
Directions
  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  • Grate cheese (use a food processor if you have one), then remove cheese from the bowl. Add the flour and cayenne to the bowl and pulse. Cut the butter into pieces and toss it in. Process until butter and flour are combined.
  • Remove dough from the bowl and stir in the cheese. Knead by hand until it comes together, adding a few drops of ice water if necessary (no more than 1 tablespoon). You can prep this recipe in advance up to this point; wrap well in plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days before proceeding.)
  • Roll out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick, then cut strips as long as you like and about 1/2 inch wide. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Bake until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.
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