Breads/Cheese Straws

By latin1

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 # extra sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 1 stick (4 oz) butter at room temperature
• 2 tbsp water

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

Sift the flour, mustard, salt and cayenne in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the cheese and butter on low speeduntil well incorporated. Gradually beat in the flour mixture until well blended. add the water and beat 1 minute.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 5 times On a large sheet of waxed paper, roll the dough into a 12" by 9" rectangle. Slide the dough onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate until well chilled, about 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut the dough in half crosswise, then cut into 6" by 1/4" strips. Transfer the strips to 2 cookie sheets. Bake one sheet at a time (about 14 minutes), or until the cheese straws are golden and crisp. let cool slightly and transfer to a rack to cool completely.
The cheeses straws can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.