I have always loved cheese straws (they certainly do not look like straws, though do they?) I usually pick them up at the bakery or specialty stores because any previous attempt to make them fell short of my expectations. Today the tides have turned and the angels are smiling. I made cheese straws, and they're good! Here is the very simple recipe I used.
I'd like to know how you make yours, and if you have a favorite recipe.
Parmesan Cheese Straws
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground red pepper
¼ cup milk
Pecan halves (optional)
Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add cheese and butter. Process until blended.
Add flour, salt and pepper to cheese mixture; process about 30 seconds or until mixture forms a ball, stopping often to scrape down sides.
Divide dough in half; roll each portion into a 1/8-inch thick rectangle, and cut into 2 x ½ -inch strips. Or shape dough into ¾ inch balls; flatten each ball to about 1/8 inch thickness.
Place strips or rounds of dough on ungreased baking sheets; brush dough with milk. Top with pecan halves, if desired.
Bake strips at 350 degrees for 7 minutes and rounds for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
Yield: 5 dozen cheese straws or 3 dozen wafers.
- Christmas with Southern Living Cookbook – Volume 2