Appetizers, Snacks, and Beverages Recipe 'Spicy Cheese Straws '

These elegant and flaky cheese straws are another fast-and-easy favorite. With the help of frozen puff pastry dough, you’ll have beautiful appetizers in no time—at a fraction of the cost of what the local bakery charges for the same thing.

Makes 40 straws

Make Ahead: The straws can be made up to 2 days ahead.

Ingredients:
One 171⁄4-ounce package frozen puff pastry
11⁄2 cups (6 ounces) shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1⁄2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 large egg white, beaten until foamy

Preparation:
1. Thaw the puff pastry according to the package instructions. In a medium bowl, mix together the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, the chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne. Set the cheese mixture aside.

2. Position racks in the center and top third of the oven and preheat to 375°F. Lightly grease two baking sheets or use ungreased nonstick sheets.

3. On a lightly floured work surface, unfold one sheet of pastry dough. Dust lightly with flour and roll into a 14 × 10-inch rectangle. Brush lightly but thoroughly with the egg white. Cut the dough in half to make two 10 × 7-inch rectangles. Sprinkle half of the cheese mixture evenly over one of the rectangles. Top with the second rectangle, egg white side down. Lightly roll the pin over the dough to make the cheese adhere between the layers of dough. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Place the dough rectangles on baking sheets and freeze until well chilled (this will help the twists hold their shape), about 15 minutes.

4. Working with one rectangle at a time, using a ruler and pizza wheel or a sharp knife and starting on a long side, cut the rectangle into twenty 1⁄2-inch-wide strips. Twist the strips into spirals and place 1⁄2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets, pressing the ends of the strips onto the sheets so the spirals won’t untwist during baking.

5. Bake, switching the position of the sheets halfway through baking from top to bottom and front to back, until the straws are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool for about 1 minute on the sheets, then immediately transfer to wire racks. Cool completely. (If baking the straws ahead, store in an airtight container. Reheat and crisp, uncovered, for 5 minutes, in a preheated 350°F oven.)

Blue Cheese Straws: Omit the chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, and salt. Substitute 1 1⁄2 cups (6 ounces) blue cheese, well crumbled, for the cheddar cheese. Substitute 1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper for the cayenne.

This recipe was published in 'Christmas 101 - p14'.