Spicy Cumin Cheese Straws Food

CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F
• Grate sharp cheddar cheese with the fine side of the grater.
• In a stand mixer cream together the butter and grated cheese, until the mixture is well mixed and fluffy.
• In a another bowl combine the flour, salt, and cayenne pepper -1/4 tsp if you don't like it too spicy, or up to a 1/2 tsp if you like a lot of heat. Using a whisk, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper. Then slowly add the flour mixture to the butter and cheese mixture in the stand mixer.
• Beat the dough on high for about 5 min. until the dough is very creamy. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl occasionally.
• Put your dough in a cookie press, and pipe about 3 inch straws onto an uncreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 12-15 minutes until slightly browed. Cool and store in an airtight container.

SPICY CHEDDAR CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Pulse first 5 ingredients in a food processor at 5-second intervals until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add half-and-half, and process 10 seconds or until dough forms a ball. (Dough may be wrapped in plastic wrap, sealed in a ziplock plastic freezer bag, and chilled up to 3 days.)
• Preheat oven to 350°. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface; divide in half. Roll each half into a 12- x 8-inch rectangle (about 1/8 inch thick). Cut dough into 3/4-inch-wide strips using a sharp knife or fluted pastry wheel, dipping knife in flour after each cut to ensure clean cuts. Place strips on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
• Bake in preheated oven 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are well browned; cool on baking sheets on wire racks 30 minutes.

SPICY CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Melt butter in the microwave.
• Combine warm butter, salt, red pepper and room temperature cheese in a food processor.
• Add in flour and blend until mixed well.
• Press thru star shaped cookie press in a continuous ribbon onto a non-stick cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 12 - 20 minutes until slightly crusty(depending on oven).

SPICY CUMIN CHEESE STRAWS

Steps:

• In a small bowl toss together cheese, ground cumin, and cayenne.
• On a lightly floured surface roll out pastry into a 14- by 12-inch rectangle and brush with some egg wash. Cut pastry in half crosswise, forming two 12- by 7-inch rectangles. Sprinkle cheese over 1 rectangle and top with other rectangle, egg-wash side down, pressing it firmly to force out any air pockets. Roll pastry out slightly to make layers adhere (rectangle should be about 12 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches). Brush pastry with some remaining egg wash and sprinkle evenly with cuminseed and sea salt.
• With a pastry wheel or sharp knife cut pastry into strips about 7 1/2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Twist strips and arrange on baking sheets, pressing ends onto sheet to keep strips twisted. Cheese straws may be prepared up to this point 2 weeks ahead. Freeze cheese straws on baking sheets 1 hour, or until frozen, and transfer to a resealable freezer bag. Do not thaw cheese straws before proceeding.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. and grease 2 baking sheets.
• Arrange half of cheese straws about 1 inch apart on 1 baking sheet and bake in middle of oven 10 to 12 minutes, or until pale golden. Bake remaining cheese straws in same manner.
• Serve cheese straws warm at room temperature.

DREMA'S SPICY PECAN-CHEESE COINS

Steps:

• In large mixing bowl combine cheese and softened butter. (You can use a food processor fitted with steel blade if available - if not, mix well using hands). Add flour, salt, pepper, paprika and cumin. Process or work well with hands until dough comes together in a ball. Work pecans into the dough so they are well distributed.
• Shape dough into 3 logs, about 1 1/4" in diameter. Wrap securely with wax paper or plastic wrap and chill at least 2 hrs. (Tip - these can be frozen for up to 30 days. Thaw before baking)
• When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice dough into 1/4 inch coins and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake about 12-15 minutes or until coins begin to brown.
• Remove to a wire rack to cool and store in airtight containers or tins. *Tip - they are easier to slice if they have been frozen and are starting to thaw slightly. Once sliced you can leave them on cookie sheet until finish thawing and bake at that time. Enjoy!