471503 Thu Dec 20 22:16:22 -0800 2007 5 31 Home Cooking 0 3227456 Talk of cookie presses in a cookie post has gotten me thinking about cheese straws. Never made any, but would like to try. Gotta dig out the cookie press! Please lend me your best cheese straw recipes and tips for handling dough, etc. Thanks! Thu Dec 20 22:16:22 -0800 2007 11234 toodie jane 1 3227479 My best is a Mark Bittman from the NYT a few years back. The recipe (with my notes/additions): 1/2 pound Cheddar or other hard, flavorful cheese 1/3 pound Parmesan cheese 2 cups (about 9 ounces) all-purpose flour Pinch cayenne 8 tablespoons (1 stick) chilled butter, cut into chunks, plus a little more for greasing the baking sheet Few drops ice water, if necessary Coarse salt (optional). Grate cheese by hand or in food processor and place in bowl. Pulse flour and cayenne in processor. Add butter and process until butter and flour are combined. Pulse in cheese. Turn out onto counter or cutting board and knead by hand, adding a few drops of ice water if necessary. ( Here he says that you "may" wrap in plastic and refrigerate for up to 2 days, I think that you MUST refrigerate for at least an hour before moving on; the first time I made these I made the mistake of not doing that, and the rolling was a disaster until I refridgerated them for a while. ) Roll out into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick, on a lightly floured surface or between 2 sheets of plastic wrap, then cut into ½-inch-wide strips as long as you like. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and sprinkle with salt, if using. Bake until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes at 450. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature. They're also great if you bake and then freeze them, and pop them in the oven to warm before serving. Thu Dec 20 22:37:03 -0800 2007 3227456 13525 JasmineG 2 3228139 Wow--butter and cheese with a little flour to hold it together--sounds like heaven. Thanks JasmineG. I'm looking for recipes to put through a cookie press; would this recipe work if at room temp? And I understand these are a southern tradition. Am I correct on this? Would love to see some recipes with unusual cheeses and/or other flavorings. Fri Dec 21 08:17:47 -0800 2007 3227479 11234 toodie jane 3 3228207 These are easy, but I usually just cut them into rounds. http://www.recipezaar.com/106160 Fri Dec 21 08:38:24 -0800 2007 3228139 11104 dolores 3 3228530 I'm sure you could add a gruyere, or parmesan, or whatever else, to change it up, but for inspiration here is a link to look at: http://www.themississippigiftcompany.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=94 And they are a southern thing! Fri Dec 21 10:07:58 -0800 2007 3228139 80937 danhole 4 3228556 danhole, what an excellent link. Funny, though, I can order one cheese straw? One?? Thanks for the pointer. Fri Dec 21 10:16:47 -0800 2007 3228530 11104 dolores