Patrick Oconnell
Cheese straws are a traditional food of England and the Southern United States. They are made from dough that typically includes butter, flour, salt, and cheddar cheese, with some recipes adding a kick of cayenne pepper or paprika. The dough is then shaped into strips or straws and baked until crispy, making them a popular appetizer or snack, especially in the South, where they are a staple at celebrations and gatherings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Core Ingredients | Unsalted butter, sharp orange cheddar cheese, salt, ground red pepper, paprika, all-purpose flour |
| Additional Ingredients | Cayenne pepper, toasted pecans, shredded cheese |
| Origin | England and the Southern United States |
| Preparation | Dough is rolled out and cut into strips, then baked until crispy |
| Storage | Stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese straw ingredients
Cheese straws are a traditional food of England and the Southern United States. They are a popular appetizer or snack, often served at parties, cocktail hours, or any other gatherings. The Southern version of these straws was developed as a way to preserve cheese during hot, humid months. They are made from a dough with a few staple ingredients and can be frozen and stored for later use.
The core ingredients of cheese straws are unsalted butter, sharp orange cheddar cheese, salt, ground red pepper or cayenne pepper, and all-purpose flour. The butter should be softened to easily mix into a smooth dough. The cheese should be shredded to avoid any anti-caking agents present in pre-shredded cheese. The salt enhances the cheesy flavor, and the pepper adds a little heat. The all-purpose flour forms the base of the dough.
Some variations of the recipe include different types of cheese, spices, and nuts. For example, one recipe for spicy cheese straws uses Aleppo pepper instead of paprika for extra heat. Another recipe includes toasted pecan halves, folding the dough over into a half-moon shape.
The dough can be made in advance and stored in the freezer for up to one month. The straws can be baked ahead of time and frozen in an airtight container for up to three months or refrigerated for up to one week. They are best served at room temperature or lightly toasted in the oven to crisp them up.
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How to make cheese straws
Cheese straws are a traditional food of England and the Southern United States. They are made from a dough of butter, flour, salt, cheddar cheese and cayenne pepper. The dough is rolled out and cut into strips, or pressed into shape using a cookie press, and then baked.
To make cheese straws, you will need the following ingredients:
- Unsalted butter
- Sharp orange cheddar cheese
- Salt
- Ground red pepper or cayenne pepper
- Paprika
- All-purpose flour
First, make the dough. Beat the first five ingredients until blended. Then, gradually add the flour, beating the mixture until it is combined.
Next, press out the straws. You can use a cookie press with a star-shaped disk to shape the mixture into long ribbons on parchment-lined baking sheets. Alternatively, you can roll out the dough and cut it into strips with a knife or pizza cutter.
Once you have formed the dough into strips, bake them at 350°F for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Finally, let the cheese straws cool on wire racks.
There are many variations of cheese straws that you can make. For example, you can add different types of cheese, spices, or nuts to the dough. You can also experiment with different shapes and sizes. Some people like to make their cheese straws spicy by adding Aleppo pepper or extra cayenne pepper.
Cheese straws can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months. They are a perfect party appetizer or snack and can be paired with cocktails.
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Cheese straw origins
Cheese straws are a traditional food of England and the Southern United States. They are eaten as an appetizer or snack and are especially popular in the state of Mississippi.
The exact origins of cheese straws are unknown, but it is speculated that the recipe may have its roots in British biscuit territory, or perhaps the biscotti and crisp snacks of Italy and Spain. The Southern version of these straws was likely developed as a way to preserve cheese during hot, humid months. Grated cheese is mixed with a few pantry staples to create a dough that can be enjoyed for days.
Cheese straws are made from a simple dough of shredded Cheddar cheese, butter, flour, and salt. Some recipes call for additional seasonings such as ground red pepper, cayenne pepper, or paprika to add a little heat and spice. The dough is then rolled out and cut into strips or shaped using a cookie press before being baked until crispy.
In the South, cheese straws are a staple food item and are often served at celebrations, family gatherings, and holiday gift-giving. They are also commonly paired with cocktails. Cheese straws can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or frozen for up to a few months.
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Cheese straw variations
Cheese straws are a traditional food of England and the Southern United States. They are made from dough that typically includes butter, flour, salt, cheddar cheese, and cayenne pepper. However, there are many variations of cheese straws that you can make by adjusting the ingredients or using different techniques.
One variation is to use different types of cheese. For example, you can use sharp orange cheddar cheese, which will give the straws a more distinct cheesy flavor. Alternatively, you can use mild cheddar or even a different type of cheese altogether, such as Gruyère or Emmenthal.
Another way to vary the recipe is by adding different spices and seasonings. Some recipes call for ground red pepper, paprika, or Aleppo pepper to add a little heat. You can also experiment with other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs such as thyme or rosemary.
The technique you use to shape the cheese straws can also create variations. You can use a cookie press with different shaped disks, such as a star-shaped disk, to create long ribbons of dough that can be cut into 2-inch pieces. Alternatively, you can roll out the dough and use a knife or pizza cutter to cut it into strips. The dough can also be formed into logs, sliced into crackers, or stamped out into rounds and folded over to create half-moons.
Finally, you can adjust the baking time and temperature to create variations in the texture and color of the cheese straws. Baking them for a shorter time will make them chewier, while baking them longer will make them crispier. Similarly, adjusting the oven temperature can affect how quickly the straws brown and how crispy they become.
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Cheese straw storage
Cheese straws are a popular snack in the Southern United States, England, and across Europe. They are often served as appetizers or snacks at parties, cocktail hours, or any other gatherings.
Cheese straws can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They should be allowed to cool completely before being stored. If you want to keep them longer, they can be frozen for up to three months. To freeze cheese straws, first let them cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen solid, transfer the cheese straws to a freezer-safe airtight container or zip-top bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
When you are ready to serve frozen cheese straws, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. They can also be lightly toasted in the oven to crisp them up before serving.
It is important to note that cheese straws are best enjoyed within the first day or two of being made, as they tend to lose their crispness over time. However, proper storage can help extend their freshness and crispness.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese straws are made with three core ingredients: unsalted butter, sharp orange cheddar cheese, and flour.
Salt, ground red pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper are all popular seasonings for cheese straws.
Cheese straws are a traditional food of England and the Southern United States. They are believed to have originated as a way to preserve cheese during hot, humid months.
To make cheese straws, the core ingredients and seasonings are combined to form a dough, which is then rolled out and cut into strips. The strips are then baked until crispy.
Yes, cheese straws can be made up to one month in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the freezer for up to three months.
