COOKIE PRESS CHEESE STRAWS

Fruit and Cheese Kebabs with Cookie Press Cheese Straws.

Cheese straws are perfect Southern tidbits to take to any gathering, whether it be a fancy shower, a church get-together, choir practice, or a musical jam session. Just think about how many you might need, then double that. These crisp, cayenne-tinged snack straws are simply addictive.

Makes about 12 dozen cheese straws

1 POUND SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE, GRATED (ABOUT 4 CUPS)

2 STICKS PLUS 6 TABLESPOONS MARGARINE, AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

4 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR

2 TEASPOONS SALT

1 TEASPOON PAPRIKA

¼ TEASPOON CAYENNE PEPPER, OR TO TASTE

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Blend the Cheddar and margarine in a large bowl. Sift the flour, salt, paprika, and cayenne into another large bowl. Gradually add the flour mixture to the cheese mixture and work it like a pastry dough, kneading until it’s soft and well blended.

3. Using the “star” pattern of a cookie press, press out the dough into lengths down the baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut the lengths into pieces about 3 inches long.

4. Bake the cheese straws until golden brown, 9 to 10 minutes. Transfer them immediately to wax paper or a cooling rack. Cool completely, then store in an airtight container.

SOUTHERN SIMPLE: Try different shaped disks for different occasions: clovers for St. Patrick’s Day, flowers for a spring fling, or little Christmas trees or stars for holiday play night. (I don’t really know what bunco is, and I’ve never played bridge—but I hear these are good for those parties, too!)