Cutting the cheese straw dough into pieces with a pizza cutter...
...after rolling it out onto a floured surface.
...after rolling it out onto a floured surface.
Some flat ones after baking...
...and a few that I twisted, first!
A close-up view of one straw's golden deliciousness! :)
Ready for storage...
...and set out, for an informal crowd, along with wine and some sweet, spiced nuts.
I don't often make appetizers...
...and when I do, they must be easy...
...(my 'old standby' consists of a block of softened cream cheese...
...covered with a layer of warmed, hot pepper jelly or soy sauce plus toasted sesame seeds.)
The two appetizers (above) are a bit more complex than that...
...but I think you'll find them well worth their preparation time...
...especially because they can be made several days ahead.
Sweet and Spicy Almonds
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
1 egg white
1 pound (3 cups) whole raw almonds
Heat oven to 300 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil
Whisk sugar and spices together in a small bowl
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white until soft peaks form
Add almonds, sugar, and spices, and toss with a spatula until well coated
Spread into an even layer on the prepared pan
Bake for 40 minutes, stirring once
Loosen nuts on the sheet and cool completely
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week
Cheese Straws
1 & 1/2 cups of shredded cheese
(I used a mixture of hard and soft cheeses, including Parmigiano-Reggiano and blue cheese)
2 ounces unsalted butter (cut into pieces)
3/4 cup flour, plus extra for rolling out the dough
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp crushed, dried, rosemary leaves
1 tbsp milk or buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until the mixture forms a ball.
Roll the dough out into the shape of a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface...
...and cut strips (straws) from it, using a pizza cutter.
Transfer the straws to a cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool (completely) on a rack, and store in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container...
...until it's party time!
...and when I do, they must be easy...
...(my 'old standby' consists of a block of softened cream cheese...
...covered with a layer of warmed, hot pepper jelly or soy sauce plus toasted sesame seeds.)
The two appetizers (above) are a bit more complex than that...
...but I think you'll find them well worth their preparation time...
...especially because they can be made several days ahead.
Sweet and Spicy Almonds
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
1 egg white
1 pound (3 cups) whole raw almonds
Heat oven to 300 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil
Whisk sugar and spices together in a small bowl
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white until soft peaks form
Add almonds, sugar, and spices, and toss with a spatula until well coated
Spread into an even layer on the prepared pan
Bake for 40 minutes, stirring once
Loosen nuts on the sheet and cool completely
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week
Cheese Straws
1 & 1/2 cups of shredded cheese
(I used a mixture of hard and soft cheeses, including Parmigiano-Reggiano and blue cheese)
2 ounces unsalted butter (cut into pieces)
3/4 cup flour, plus extra for rolling out the dough
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp crushed, dried, rosemary leaves
1 tbsp milk or buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until the mixture forms a ball.
Roll the dough out into the shape of a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface...
...and cut strips (straws) from it, using a pizza cutter.
Transfer the straws to a cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool (completely) on a rack, and store in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container...
...until it's party time!
