Who knew cheese straws could be so tasty? These are a great freezer standby to pull out and bake as needed and they work perfectly with pre-dinner drinks. They are definitely best served warm so don’t bake until your guests have arrived and have drinks in hands.
Wine Suggestion: Champagne and if not in your budget, a really good sparkling with a bit of time on the lees. We don’t know anyone who refuses this combination!
Rosemary & Cheese Straws – makes 36
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 375g pack of ready-rolled all-butter puff pastry
- 3 tbsp roughly chopped rosemary, plus a bit extra
- 100g gruyère or emmental, finely grated
- 2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan
- sea salt, for sprinkling
Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6.
Mix 1 egg yolk with the mustard and stir until smooth, then set aside.
Lightly flour a work surface and open out the pastry, then prick all over with a fork. Brush the egg and mustard mixture over the pastry.
Sprinkle the rosemary over the pastry, followed by the cheeses and lightly press into the pastry. Cut the pastry sheet in half lengthways, then cut each length widthways into 2cm wide strips. Twist the strips gently.
Put the straws onto two large non-stick baking trays or trays lined with parchment. Press the ends of each twist onto the tray. Beat the remaining egg yolk with a teaspoon of water and brush over the twists, then sprinkle with the additional rosemary and sea salt. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until puffed and golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool a little but serve while still warm.
To Freeze: Make the straws up to the point of twisting, then arrange on a large baking tray and freeze, uncovered, until solid, then pack into a freezer-proof box. To serve, remove from the freezer and glaze with the egg yolk (as above) and bake from frozen for 12 to 15 minutes.
(Original recipe by Henry Harris in BBC Good Food Magazine, November, 2001.)
Jono & Jules do food & wine 