Recipe: Chili-Cheese Straws (using cornmeal), Parmesan Cheese Straws, Easy-As-Pie Cheese Straws (using pie crust mix)

Della, Cheese Straws would be nice to serve along with your salad. Tell your Mom we wish her a very Happy Birthday! - Betsy

CHILI-CHEESE STRAWS

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese with peppers (8 ounces)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened (not melted)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin

Combine cheese and butter, stirring until blended. Gradually add remaining ingredients, stirring until mixture is not longer crumbly and will shape into a ball.

Use a cookie press fitted with a star-shaped disk to shape dough into straws, following manufacturers instructions. (Or divide dough into fourths, and roll each portion into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle on wax paper. Cut into 2x1/2-inch strips with a knife or pastry wheel.)

Place on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Makes about 8 dozen
Source: Southern Living Magazine, 1994

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PARMESAN CHEESE STRAWS
Makes 5 dozen straws or 3 dozen wafers

2/3 cup refrigerated pre-shredded Parmesan cheese*
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/t tsp ground red pepper
1/4 cup milk
Pecan halves, optional

Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add cheese and butter. Process until blended. Add flour, salt, and red pepper; process about 30 seconds or until mixture forms a ball, stopping often to scrape down the sides.

Divide dough in half, roll each portion into 1/8 inch thick rectangle, and cut into 2x1/2-inch strips. (Or shape dough into 3/4 inch balls; flatten each ball to about 1/8 inch thickness.)

Place on ungreased baking sheets; brush with milk. Top with pecan halves, if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 7 minutes for strips and 10 minutes for rounds or until lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

*2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus an additional 1/4 cup all-purpose
flour may be substituted for pre-shredded Parmesan cheese.

Makes about 8 dozen
Source: Southern Living Magazine, September 1994

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EASY-AS-PIE CHEESE STRAWS
Makes 5 dozen

1 (11 ounce) package pie crust mix
1 (5 ounce) jar sharp process cheese spread
1/4 tsp ground red pepper (optional)

Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add all ingredients, and process about 30 seconds or until mixture forms a ball, stopping often to scrape down sides.

Use a cookie press fitted with a bar-shaped disk to shape dough into 2 1/2-inch straws, following manufacturers directions. Or divide dough in half, and shape each portion into a 7 inch log; wrap in plastic and chill one hour. Cut into 1/4-inch slices. Place on lightly greased baking sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 8 minutes or until browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool.