Cheddar Cheese Straws

  Before you read this, GO ENTER THE #bean2blog Giveaway below :

Got your pearls on? If you were born in the South, you know what I’m talking about.  Two of the things a young girl growing up in the South learns is that you wear pearls – the real ones - to every occasion or risk being underdressed.  And you learn to make cheese straws or cheese wafers, depending upon the shape you choose.

I mean EVERY self-respecting Southern belle, even though she may not be able to cook another thing, knows that the way to  a man’s heart and membership in the Junior League, is to make these delicious temptations.   I wouldn’t want you to be left out of the JL – you’ll have to find a man on your own – so make up a batch of these goodies today.

Oh, and wear your pearls while doing so.  It shows you got class.  You can be naked, but you must wear those pearls Girlfriend.  

Cheddar Cheese Straws

  1/2 pound finely grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese (2 cups), at room temperature
1 teaspoon salt (I use less because Hubby salts his salt, ya’ know.)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (the real stuff), at room temperature
1/2 – 3/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
1/2 – 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Dash of Tabasco, optional
1 1/2  cups all-purpose flour

Using a food processor, fitted with the metal blade, combine the cheese, salt, butter,  peppers and hot sauce.  Pulse several times until mixed.  Add in the flour and pulse on and off until a soft dough forms.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.  Bring to room temperature before cooking.

You can cook these right after mixing.  I think it improves the flavor to refrigerate them for a bit.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.  Fit a cookie press with the desired shape – a star shape for straws, a ribbon shape for wafers – whatever suits your fancy.

Press the strips of dough to the desired length (about 2 inches is good) onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove to wire racks and cool thoroughly.  Store in an airtight container.

Photo courtesy of Lela Davidson via Pinterest #Bean2Blog 2012

While You’re Here

#Bean2Blog

Join me and several other awesome Arkansas bloggers, most of whom are members of Arkansas Women Bloggers, at a day-long event sponsored by (ahem!) THE P. Allen  Smith and The Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board at Smith’s gorgeous Moss Mountain Farm.  It’s a giveaway for you and a friend.  But…act fast because the giveaway ends this Friday, April 26.

Good Luck!  I’d love to see you there.

You can link up and get the details at these blogs:

 NWA Foodie
The Park Wife
Dining With Debbie

Linked to:  Itty Bitty Life