Cheese Straws

 So SS have a number of things in common, besides family history. Two of them, in particular, are reading and trying new things to eat. It’s a tad bit difficult to do them together since she’s in Alabama and I’m in California, but we try.

For her birthday this year I sent her The Book Club Cookbook, and got one for myself too. Given the timing of things, we just had our first book club get-together a few days ago. We chose The Optimist’s Daughter by Eurora Welty, a wonderful southern story that won a Pulitzer Prize in 1973.

We both figured out how to Skype in order to “meet,” enjoyed talking about this book and others, and snacked on Southern Cheese Straws. The cheese straws were delicious! I’m not sure they look quite as they were intended, but they tasted good. And with a glass of sweet tea, it was perfect! We are looking forward to our next book club meeting…in Alabama.

Cheese Straws

¾ cup grated cheddar cheese
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1-2 tbsp ice water
¾ cups flour
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Stir the cheese and butter together. Add the ice water and blend.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt and cayenne. Stir into the cheese mixture until blended. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill until very firm, at least two hours.

Preheat oven to 350º. Cut the dough into four equal parts. Using your hands, on a lightly floured surface roll each piece of dough into1/4” diameter cylinders. If the tubes get to long, cut into more sections. Cut dough into straws 7 – 8” long.

Place the straws on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

When cool, store in airtight container.

Enjoy!