Saturday, September 15, 2012

Are Cheese Straws a Southern Thing?



I mentioned making Cheese Straws in a previous post, and several of you said you'd never heard of them. Here's the recipe from our church cookbook. I served them yesterday at my book group meeting.

Disclaimer: I didn't actually make these in the photo. Our Farmer's Market had them for sale, and I was on a time crunch this week, so I bought some. That's why they're in those squiggly shapes. I don't have the gadget needed to make them in this shape. When I make mine, I make round ones about the size of half dollars.

CHEESE STRAWS

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup plain flour
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. red pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine all ingredients. Roll into 1-inch balls, place on ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten. Bake for 8-12 minutes until lightly browned.

So what about it ya'll? Are Cheese Straws a 'Southern' thing?

8 comments:

Pom Pom said...

Yes, they are! They look and sound delicious. Too bad I've sworn off cheese.
How was your book group?

M.K. said...

Debbie, I think they must be a Southern thing. They were BIG in Jackson, Miss. where I grew up. Folks unfamiliar with them were usually surprised at the sometimes-zingy flavor (a little hot?) at times. Had them at my wedding reception. I've never run into them anywhere else but the South. Lately I've seen them in other shapes than the ones you show here -- more like cookies. Yum!

Gumbo Lily said...

I don't know about cheese straws either, but they sound delicious!

Tracy said...

These are something that my Mum used to make on occassion and I'm very much an Aussie with no US influence in terms of cultural background! We can buy these in the supermarket here as well and if I were able to consume more of them without ill-effect they would be a regular feature in our home.

YUM!

Cranberry Morning said...

Sounds like a nice treat, and no, I've never heard of them either. Then again, we're far north of the Mason Dixon line. :-)

Enjoyed your comments about cars.

Left-Handed Housewife said...

I think of them as being Southern. I make them at the holidays, though, like you, I make coins instead of straws. My recipe looks a lot like yours.

xofrances

Linda said...

They're very popular in Scotland. Lots of recipes for home-made ones (some with Italian-influence Parmesan cheese), and a variety of supermarket brands.

Bellezza said...

I'm glad you gave a recipe; it even seems easy to manage. I love them, but I've never made them personally. To me, they're not necessarily Southern. Just delicious!