Cheese straws

On Sun 01 Jan 2006 12:34:04a, Thus Spake Zarathustra, or was it Elaine Parrish?

Probably like these, Elaine. My mom used to make them...

1 pound sharp Cheddar cheese 2 sticks (1 cup) butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 2 1/2 cups flour

Grate the cheese and allow it to stand until it has reached room temperature. In a bowl cream the butter with the salt, cayenne, and garlic powder until the mixture is combined well. Add the Cheddar, and beat the mixture until it is smooth. Beat in the flour, a little at a time, transfer the dough to a cookie press fitted with the star tip, and pipe 2-inch lengths of it onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake 4 to 5 minutes at 300¼F. Or, alternatively, mix all ingredients well (finely chopped toasted pecans make a delicious addition!) and form into small balls about 3/4 inch in diameter. Flatten the balls somewhat, place them on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350¡F oven for 15 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to cool.

Here's a recipe for Phyllo Cheese Straws from Food Network

8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 egg, lightly beaten 1/4 cup grated Parmesan 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 box phyllo dough, thawed 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted Store-bought pesto, for dipping

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, lightly beaten egg, Parmesan, and salt. Stir to combine. Spoon mixture into a plastic zip-top bag. Set aside. To use as a pastry bag, cut corner off bag to make a 1/4-inch diameter opening.

Lay out thawed phyllo dough. Working quickly to keep dough from drying out: brush top sheet with melted butter, pipe cheese filling along long edge of phyllo 1/2-inch from each end. Fold over ends to seal in filling and roll up straw. Repeat with remaining sheets of phyllo and place on a baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes.

-- Wayne Boatwright *À* And if we enter a room full of manure, may we believe in the pony.