Cheese Straws

I have been wanting to try making something using puff pastry and now I finally have an excuse, wine tasting party appetizers. I am easing myself into it, with these simple cheese straws based on this recipe. I am not quite crazy enough to make puff pastry from scratch just yet, so for now the frozen stuff will have to do. And, since these are quite tasty, they will be making an appearance at the family christmas party this year.

Set out the puff pastry to defrost. While that's hanging out, grate some nice parmesan cheese.

Then mix in some herbs and garlic powder.

Brush the dough with the egg so it's ready for all the parmesan and herbed goodness.

Once you add the topping, cut the dough into strips and twist them. You can make them twice as long as these if you want, but I wanted a bunch of people to get a bit rather than a fewer people getting nice big cheese straws.

Pop them in the oven until they are golden and fully puffed.

Cheese Straws

1 box frozen puff pastry

4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 egg

Preheat the oven to 400F

Thaw the puff pastry according the directions on the package. Mix the cheese and spices together. In a separate bowl beat the egg.

Brush the egg on one side of each sheet of pastry. Sprinkle the cheese mixture on top of the egg, dividing it evenly between the two sheets. Press it into the egg with your fingers.

Cut the pastry into strips and then twist each strip a few times. Place the strips on a cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 min.

Note: It is possible to freeze these after you make them (like if you plan a party for 50 and then have to postpone it due to a blizzard and not nearly as many people end up coming). They won't be quite the same, but they aren't bad, just pop them back in the oven until the crisp up again.