Cheese Straws

These savory bites are a welcome addition at Christmas after the many sweet items that are served during the season.  They are the perfect complement to any drink served during the season, hot or cold, alcoholic or non-alcoholic!  Make a large batch because you will find them so addictive.

This recipe is dedicated to my younger cousin Marlene D'Cruz Dias who gave me the recipe while visiting her family in Kampala, Uganda.  I was not even in my teens then and could not believe that she had made the cheese straws for her family that year.  Every Christmas I pull out my old hand-written recipe and think with fondness of cousin Marlene and her family  -   My mum's sister (Aunty) Cissy, my late (Uncle) Joe, and cousins Doug and Coral. Merry Christmas to a beautiful family and their own new additions ... we have many wonderful memories of you all.

Ingredients

8 oz plain flour
1/2 level teaspoon each salt and dry mustard
pinch of cayenne pepper or chilly powder
4 oz margarine or butter ( or vegan alternative)
4 oz finely grated cheddar cheese (substitute a vegan version for vegans)
cold water to make dough

Method

Preheat oven 400 F
I make my dough in the food processor using the chopping blades.
Sift the flour with salt, mustard and cayenne pepper, and put in the bowl of your food processor. 

Add the fat and process until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Add the cheese and add 1 tablespoon of cold water at a time and process until the mixture binds to form a dough.

 Do not add too much water or the dough will become sticky.  Check by picking some of the mixture and forming into a ball. Remove and roll out on a  board dusted with flour.
Cut into strips and then form into straws.  Lay on a lightly floured, lined baking tray.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned on edges.  Watch because they can burn easily.
Leave to cool before storing in an airtight container.