Cheese straws are easy and tasty.
This makes about 36 straws, so you may want to go down in quantity!
Ingredients
375g plain flour
pinch of salt
225g butter, diced
150g mature cheddar cheese
50g of grated parmesan cheese
pinch English Mustard powder
pinch of cayenne pepper (but I don't use this with little children, my own children find it rather "bitey")
2 eggs, yolks only
Method
1. Sift the flour and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Using your fingertips rub in the butter until all the lumps are gone and the texture is like fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the cheese, mustard powder and egg yolks. Add 4-5 tablespoons of cold water and mix to a firm dough. Wrap in cling film (or pop in in an airtight container) and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat over to 190C/375 F/Gas 5. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment and roll out the dough to a square, roughly the thickness of a £2 coin. Cut the square in half, then cut each half into 1cm strips and transfer onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until crisp and golden and then leave to cool on the tray.
Yum!