Cheese straws

Cheese straws

In the 1970’s my cheese straw recipe was simply flour, margarine, cheese and mustard, mixed with water. For a modern recipe with more flavour, I’ve added spices and seeds to give extra texture.

Makes about 20.

Ingredients

150 g plain flour

50 g butter, margarine or lard

100 g strong Cheddar cheese, grated

Flavouring – choose from ½ tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp celery salt, 1/4 tsp nigella seeds, 1/4 tsp mustard seed

1 egg, beaten

Sesame seeds

Method

1. Preheat the oven 200C/Fan 190C/ Gas 6 and line a baking tray with non stick paper.
2. Whizz the flour, fat and cheese in the food processor until breadcrumbs or rub in with your fingertips.
3. Put the mixture into a bowl, add the spices and seeds, stir in the beaten eggs and work into a dough by squeezing with your hands.
4. Flour the worksurface and roll out the dough until it is 1cm thick. You can roll between pieces of non stick paper.
5. Cut into 2cm x 6cm strips, brush with water and sprinkle on the sesame seeds.
6. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden and crisp.
7. Cool and serve.

Skills – pastry making, rolling, grating

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