Quick and easy to make – cheese straws are a versatile savoury biscuit that can be made with even the basic of skills – make in any shape and any size, there are no rules, except to enjoy! – use them as a snack or pre-dinner nibble, sandwiched with cream cheese for something more substantial, add herbs and spices to create additional flavours or create a “Jenga” tower … the list is endless!
Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 10-15 mins
Ingredients
- 100g/4oz Plain Flour
- 75g/3oz Salted Butter slightly softened, cut into cubes
- 75g/3oz Strong Hard Mature Cheese – our favourite is local producer – Lyburn Cheese – Garlic and Nettle
- 1tsp Mustard Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
Method
- Pre-heat oven to 200° Gas Mark 6
- Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix together gently by hand or in a machine until the dough comes together, being careful not to overwork the dough as you will lose that light crisp finish when baked.
- Lightly flour the work surface, tip dough out and bring together into a ball and roll out the dough until about 5mm thick (about the size of a pound coin), turning the dough every couple of rolls by 90°. This will help keep the dough in as much in a rectangular shape as possible and will help ensure that you get as many straws cut from the “first roll” as possible to avoid the dough becoming tough.
- Cut into lengths of 10cm x 1 cm (or whatever shape you choose) and place on a baking tray
- Place in oven and cook for about 10-15 minutes until starting to turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and carefully remove from the baking tray and place on a cooling rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.
