Lemon And Black Pepper Cheese Straws Food

PARMESAN, BLACK PEPPER AND ROSEMARY CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a small bowl, toss together the cheeses, herbs and cracked black pepper. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture.
• In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg with 2 teaspoons water to make an egg wash.
• Roll the puff pastry out on a floured surface to a rectangle about 12-by-10 1/2 inches. Brush the entire surface with egg wash. Cut the pastry in half crosswise forming 2 rectangles. Sprinkle the herb cheese mixture over one rectangle and top with the other. Using the rolling pin, roll the pastry just to help the 2 rectangles adhere. Using a pizza wheel or a sharp knife, cut the layered pastry into 1/2-inch-wide strips; you'll get about 24. Twist each strip and transfer it to a prepared baking sheet, pinching each of the ends tightly, spacing the strips about 2 inches apart from one another. Brush strips with egg wash and sprinkle with reserved cheese mixture.
• Bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

LEMON PEPPER CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Lightly flour a clean, flat surface and roll the sheet of puff pastry to an 1/8th of an inch in thickness. Try to keep it approximately the shape of a rectangle for smoother edges.
• Sprinkle the cheese, lemon zest, ground pepper, and salt evenly over the long top half. Fold the bottom half over, gently pressing the two sides together to seal. Use a very sharp knife to cut 1/2-3/4 inch wide strips.
• Handling one strip at a time, take one end in each hand and carefully twist them in opposite directions to form a tight spiral. Place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, pressing the ends down firmly to discourage them from uncurling. Repeat with the remaining dough, placing the twists about 1 inch apart. Move the entire batch into the freezer and let rest for 30 minutes before baking.
• Once the straws are nearly done chilling, begin preheating your oven to 425 degrees F.
• Move the frozen baking sheet immediately into the oven and bake until the straws are golden brown all over(13-16 minutes). Transfer to wire racks and let cool completely before eating.

CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• 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, cayenne, and egg yolks. Add 4-5 tablespoons of cold water and mix to a firm dough. Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. 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/½in strips. Transfer carefully onto the lined baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, until crisp, then leave to cool on the tray.