Holiday crackers

Holiday Cheese Straws – The Perfect Indulgence for Festive Meals

If you're looking for a delicious snack that will delight the taste buds of friends and family, you've come to the perfect recipe! These holiday cheese straws are ideal for serving alongside a cold beer or as an appetizer at festive gatherings. With a mix of flavors and a crunchy texture, they stay fresh and tasty for several days.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 30 cheese straws

Ingredients:
- 170 g flour
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 80 g grated cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika (or sweet, according to preference)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 egg white (for brushing)
- Sesame seeds, flaxseed or poppy seeds (to taste)

A short story about cheese straws:
Cheese straws are a traditional snack, loved in many cultures, especially associated with holidays and parties. Their origin is lost in the mists of time, but it is certain that they have evolved over the years, becoming a symbol of conviviality. These little delights are easy to prepare and can be customized with various ingredients, making them the perfect choice for any occasion.

How to prepare cheese straws step by step:

1. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, add the flour, ground pepper, paprika, and cubed butter. Use a mixer or spatula to mix the ingredients until you achieve a sandy texture. This is the delicious base of your cheese straws!

2. Add the cheese and mustard:
Incorporate the grated cheese and mustard into the flour mixture. Continue mixing until the ingredients are well combined. The cheese will provide an intense flavor and a salty taste, perfect for balancing the spicy flavors.

3. Incorporate the egg yolks:
Add the two egg yolks and mix well until the dough becomes uniform. These will give the necessary structure and richness to the dough.

4. Roll out the dough:
On a work surface sprinkled with a little flour, roll out the dough into a not too thick sheet, about 5 mm. Make sure it is not too thin to achieve a crunchy texture, but not too thick to bake evenly.

5. Cutting shapes:
Use cookie cutters or a knife to cut various shapes from the dough sheet. You can opt for classic shapes like circles or stars, or be creative and choose more unusual shapes.

6. Preparing for baking:
Place the cheese straws on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. In a small bowl, beat the egg white until frothy, then brush each cheese straw with it. This step will give a beautiful golden color to your cheese straws.

7. Sprinkle the seeds:
After brushing the cheese straws, sprinkle sesame seeds, flaxseed, or poppy seeds according to your preferences. These will not only add a crunchy note but also an attractive visual appearance.

8. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the cheese straws for about 10 minutes or until they become golden and crunchy. Be careful with them, as baking time may vary depending on your oven.

9. Cooling and serving:
After baking, let the cheese straws cool on a cooling rack. They are delicious both warm and cold. You can serve them alongside a cold beer or a dry white wine, and for an extra touch, a garlic and dill yogurt dip is an excellent choice!

Useful tips:
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easier incorporation into the dough.
- You can experiment with different cheeses, such as goat cheese or cheddar, to achieve varied flavors.
- If you want to make the cheese straws spicier, add a pinch of chili powder to the flour mixture.

Nutritional information:
These cheese straws are a delicious snack, but remember that they are also high in calories due to the butter and cheese. One serving (approximately 4 cheese straws) contains around 150-200 kcal, depending on the ingredients used. However, the cheese also brings essential proteins, and the seeds provide healthy fatty acids.

Variations and serving suggestions:
To add a touch of creativity, you can experiment with herbs like rosemary or thyme in the dough. You can also serve them with various dips, such as a spiced tomato sauce or a garlic mayonnaise dip.

These holiday cheese straws are not just a delicious snack, but also a wonderful way to gather family and friends around the table. Each bite will transport you to a world of flavors and textures, and you will be proud of the final result.

Don't forget to share the recipe with your friends and enjoy every moment spent around the table! Enjoy your meal!