Marthas Cheese Straws Recipes

HOMEMADE CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry dough to a 9-by-20-inch rectangle. Sprinkle 3/4 cup cheese over center of dough. Starting at the near short end, fold dough into thirds, enclosing cheese. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate 1 hour. Repeat. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Cut dough in half; wrap half in plastic, and refrigerate. On a lightly floured surface, roll out half the dough to a 12-by-15-inch rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. (Do not press too hard on edges.)
• Using a pastry brush, dust off excess flour; brush beaten egg over dough until well moistened. Sprinkle 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cheese and a pinch of salt over lower half of dough. Fold top half over cheese-covered half. Gently press to seal. Brush top of dough with beaten egg; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cheese and a pinch of salt.
• Trim dough to 12 by 6 1/2 inches with a pastry wheel or knife. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough, cheese, and salt.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a pastry wheel, cut dough into 3/8-by-12-inch strips; twist into spirals. Space 1/2 inch apart on baking sheets. Press ends onto sheets to prevent straws from straightening. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Bake until golden and cooked through, about 18 minutes. Loosen straws from sheets with a thin spatula; transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in airtight containers at room temperature up to 1 day.

CHEDDAR CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Beat first 5 ingredients at medium speed with a heavy-duty stand mixer until blended. Gradually add flour, beating just until combined.
• Use a cookie press with a star-shaped disk to shape mixture into long ribbons, following manufacturer's instructions, on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Cut ribbons into 2-inch pieces.
• Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
• Cheese Wafers: Combine ingredients as directed; chill dough 2 hours. Shape dough into 4 (8-inch-long) logs; wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill 8 hours. Cut each log into 1/4-inch-thick slices; place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container 1 week.

SOUTHERN CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grate cheese.
• In a food processor, pulse dry ingredients until combined, then add cheese and butter. Process until dough becomes smooth and has the texture of Play-Doh. Alternately, make the dough in a stand mixer by creaming cheese and butter until smooth. Then combine dry ingredients in a bowl and combine with butter mixture at low speed until smooth.
• Shape the dough into a cylinder, wrap with plastic wrap or parchment and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Or store in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
• Bring dough to room temperature and pack it into a cookie press fitted with a star disk. Pipe long ribbons of dough across the baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, about an inch apart. Then cut into six-inch lengths. Repeat with remaining dough. Dough may also be hand-rolled into long ropes and cut to size, or shaped into a cylinder and sliced into rounds and baked.
• Bake for about 13 minutes or until the edges just begin to brown. Store between sheets of parchment or waxed paper in an airtight container. Will keep for up to three weeks.

CHEESE STRAWS WITH HOMEMADE PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, using a rolling pin, gently roll pastry dough into a 14-inch square 1/8 inch thick. Be careful not to press too hard on the edges. Using a pastry brush, dust off excess flour; brush beaten egg over lower half of dough until it is well moistened.
• In a small bowl, mix together salt and cayenne. Sprinkle half the salt mixture over egg-washed portion of dough. Sprinkle half the grated cheese over the same half; fold the uncovered dough over the cheese-covered section. Gently press all over the dough with your fingers to seal the dough halves together.
• Brush top of dough again with beaten egg to moisten; sprinkle remaining salt mixture and cheese evenly over the top.
• Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, trim edges, and cut dough into 1/2-inch vertical strips. Twist strips into spiraled straws, and lay 1 inch apart on three ungreased baking sheets. To prevent straws from straightening out again, gently press both ends to adhere them to the baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap; place in refrigerator 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place in oven, and bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 350 degrees; continue baking until straws are golden brown and cooked all the way through, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven; using a thin spatula, immediately transfer straws to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

PARMESAN PUFF-PASTRY STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• On a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin, roll puff pastry into a 12-by-16-inch rectangle. With the long side facing you, lightly brush bottom half of rectangle with some of the beaten egg. Sprinkle 1/4 cup Parmesan and the salt on top half. Fold bottom half over top half. Gently roll dough to seal.
• Cut rectangle lengthwise into thirds. (You should have three 2-by-16-inch strips.) Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon Parmesan on 1 strip, poppy seeds on another, and cayenne on remaining strip. Cut each strip lengthwise into eight 1/4-by-16-inch strips.
• Transfer strips to baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Working with 1 strip at a time, hold each end with your fingers, and carefully twist strip in opposite directions, forming a spiral. Press ends of strips against parchment to prevent unraveling. Freeze or refrigerate until strips are very firm and cold, about 15 minutes.
• Bake 1 sheet at a time, rotating halfway through, until straws are golden brown and cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer straws to wire racks, and let cool.

PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Make the dough package: Whisk together flours and salt in a large bowl. Using your fingers, incorporate butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Form a well in center; pour in cold water. Using your hands, gradually draw flour mixture over water, covering and gathering until mixture begins to come together. In bowl, knead until dough just comes together, about 15 seconds. Pat into a rough ball; turn out onto plastic wrap. Wrap tightly; refrigerate 1 hour.
• Make the butter package: Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons flour on a piece of parchment paper. Place sticks of butter on top; sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons flour. Top with parchment. Using a rolling pin, pound butter to soften and flatten to about 1/2 inch thick. Remove top parchment; fold butter package in half onto itself. Replace top parchment; pound until butter is 1/2 inch thick. Repeat 2 or 3 times, or until butter becomes quite pliable. Using your hands, shape into a 6-inch square. Wrap well in plastic; refrigerate until cold, up to 10 minutes.
• Roll dough: Place dough package on a lightly floured work surface. Gently roll dough into a 9-inch round. Place butter package in center of dough round. Using a paring knife or bench scraper, lightly score dough to outline the butter square; remove butter, and set aside. Starting from each side of the center square, gently roll out dough with the rolling pin, forming four flaps, each 4 to 5 inches long; do not touch the raised square in center of dough. Place butter package on center square. Fold flaps of dough over butter to enclose. Press to seal.
• Using the rolling pin, press down on dough at regular intervals over entire surface until it is about 1 inch thick. Gently roll out into a rectangle, about 9 by 20 inches, with one of the short sides closest to you. Keep corners even by squaring them with the side of the rolling pin or your hands. Brush off any excess flour. Starting at the near end, fold the rectangle in thirds as you would a business letter; this completes the first single turn. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate 1 hour.
• Repeat step 5, giving it 5 more single turns. (Always start with the flap opening on the right.) Refrigerate 1 hour between each turn. After the sixth and final turn, wrap in plastic; refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight before using.

PUFF-PASTRY CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine cheese and cayenne in a bowl.
• Lay each puff-pastry sheet flat on a lightly floured work surface. Roll out two 11-by-16-inch rectangles. Dividing evenly, brush with some of beaten eggs and sprinkle with cheese mixture. Using a pastry cutter or sharp paring knife, trim long ends to make even, then cut each rectangle crosswise into fifteen 1/2-inch-wide strips.
• Working with one at a time, twist each strip into a spiral and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, 1 inch apart. Using your thumb, press ends of strips onto parchment to prevent unraveling during baking. Chill until firm, at least 30 minutes.
• Bake until pastry is golden, rotating sheets halfway through, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks before serving or storing.

EASY CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy. Beat in cheese until blended. Combine flour, salt and cayenne; stir into cheese mixture until a dough forms. Roll into a 15x6-in. rectangle. Cut into thirty 6-in. strips. Gently place strips 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets., Bake until lightly browned, 15-20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

FRENCH CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Line two baking sheets with nonstick baking mats; set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix together both cheeses and cayenne pepper, if using. Sprinkle cheese mixture on work surface; top with puff pastry and roll out to a 10-by-13-inch rectangle, pressing dough into cheese to adhere. Sprinkle top of dough with poppy seeds, if desired; press gently with a rolling pin to adhere.
• Using a pastry cutter, trim sides to form a 9-by-12-inch rectangle. Cut puff pastry into 3/4-inch-thick strips. Grab each end of a dough strip with your fingers and carefully stretch and twist strip in opposite directions; arrange 1 1/2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Transfer to refrigerator to chill, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Transfer baking sheets to oven and bake until golden and puffed, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

PARMESAN STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon water; set egg wash aside. In another small bowl, combine Parmesan, mustard powder, salt, and cayenne; set aside.
• On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough (still folded in thirds) to a 12-by-16-inch rectangle. With short side facing you, cut in half crosswise; brush one side of both halves with egg wash. Sprinkle one egg-washed half with cheese mixture. Sandwich halves together, egg-washed sides facing in; press lightly to adhere. Run a rolling pin over dough to seal.
• With short side facing you, cut dough crosswise into 24 strips, each 8 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Place strips, 1 inch apart, onto 2 baking sheets; twist strips, pressing down on ends to adhere them to sheets. Bake until cheese straws are puffed and golden, 8 to 10 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through.

GRUYèRE, ANCHOVY, AND OLIVE STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 15-by-18-inch rectangle. Cut in half crosswise. Whisk egg yolk with 1 teaspoon water. Brush one piece of dough with egg wash (reserving remainder).
• Variations:Gruyère: Sprinkle half each of cheese and cayenne over egg-washed dough; season with pepper. Top with second piece of dough and dust off any excess flour; brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and cayenne; season with salt.Anchovy: Place half of anchovies over egg-washed dough, arranging them vertically along the length in a single layer; season with pepper. Top with second piece of dough and dust off any excess flour; brush with egg wash. Top with remaining anchovies; season with more pepper.Olive: Pulse olives, capers, and thyme in a food processor to form a smooth paste (you should have a scant 1/2 cup). Spread half of tapenade over egg-washed dough. Top with second piece of dough and dust off any excess flour; brush with egg wash. Spread remaining tapenade over dough; season with pepper.
• With a floured rolling pin, roll over dough gently to compress filling slightly and ensure toppings adhere. Cut dough lengthwise into scant 1/2-inch-thick strips. Transfer to prepared sheets, spaced 1/2 inch apart. Refrigerate until firm, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Bake until straws are golden brown and crisp, 16 to 18 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets. Serve in highball glasses or other tall, narrow serving vessels.