Last updated on January 16th, 2017
For the third episode of “Delicious Living,” I whipped up some Herbed Cheese Straws for you. Do you know these perfect party appetizers? They’re light, crisp, and downright addicting. They’re host-friendly, too, because you can make them well ahead of time. Just click the “play” arrow to watch the video, and don’t be surprised if you spy my four-legged sous chef in the opening credits.
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Here’s the printable:
These crisp, light, and addicting party appetizers can be made up to 48 hours in advance. Serve them at your next cocktail (or kids') party, and watch them disappear!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened and cut into 4 pieces
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Instructions
- Center the oven rack; preheat the oven to 400°F.Tip the cheese, butter, flour, salt, herbs, and red pepper flakes into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times, just to break up the butter. Then add the cream, and run the machine until the dough masses on the blade — 20-30 seconds.
- Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and roll into a 10 x 8 rectangle, approximately 1/8-inch thick. Use a floured knife or pastry wheel to cut the dough into 1/4- or 1/3-inch-wide strips. The strips can be as long or as short as you desire.
- Space the straws 1/4-inch apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until the ends of the straws start to color — 12-15 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool.The straws will become crispy as they achieve room temperature.
NOTE: These appetizers will stay fresh and crisp for up to 48 hours when stored in an unsealed plastic bag.
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Tammy says
Kevin – I saw this recipe 30 minutes ago and just made the cheese sticks. For once I had everything in the house I needed. They are awesome! I brought one to my husband and he ate it and said, “Yeah, these are ok.” I returned to the kitchen to clean up and realized he was trailing me. “I was wrong,” he said, “I want to eat all of them!”
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Tammy – So glad you and your hubby liked the cheese straws!
Janis says
These are my ‘to do’ list for sure. You look great on video, Kevin!
christine says
These sound delicious! How far ahead can you make them? And do you think they could be frozen?
Joni D. says
We are going to a cocktail party within 2 weeks – was wondering what I could bring to share —
no more wondering! These will be perfect! Thanks!
Tracy says
Nice little video, Kevin. Thanks! May I suggest a remote microphone clipped to your shirt or sweater? We’d end up with much better sound quality. Good luck to you with this series. Can’t wait for the gardening versions.
Addie in Florida says
I’ve made these before, Kevin, and they were a big hit. An English friend is having a “pub night”
tomorrow and your video reminded me of them. They will work perfectly with her British pub snacks – thank you!
Mary W says
Love simple recipes that I can make with what is on hand for when the kids visit. AND, of course, that taste great. Like pop corn, these are about as easy but I’m sure much more delicious.
Sandy Douglass Abalos says
So excited to find this recipe just now in my inbox! I grated a block of sharp cheddar earlier, only wish I wouldn’t have put the processor bowl in the sink. Off to wash it up to surprise hubby with cheese sticks for his Dallas Cowboy’s game against the “Cheeseheads”! Ironic?
bobbye samdahl says
Hi Kevin! I love the video, it was fun to see you!
However I will also miss the photographic tutorials that you had. they also made me laugh…the Beagle, or pour it into a BLUE dish!
I hope you will still use them. Mix it up
bobbye
Celeste says
Can’t wait to try the cheese straws.
Wondering if you ever dry your own herbs.
I dry most of mine to use separately and also combine to make Herbs de Provence (including home grown lavender, but purchase the fennel seeds), Fine Herbs, and Italian seasoning. Drying herbs is a great $$$ saver since I’m able to replace my spices every year without going broke!
Also share the dried spices (and combinations) as gifts, or just share with friends and family.
Tracey says
I agree with Tracy. The audio was somewhat poor and a bit muffled, but I do want to make these cheese straws. I watched the video at 1.5 speed and found it just long enough. Long, drawn-out videos bother me—I’m one who prefers to read (quickly) rather than watch a video. But if I speed it up for slower speakers (or for those who LOOOOOOURVE to yammer on), I find them more tolerable.
Thanks, Kevin!
Maraya says
I agree with Bobbye! Love the video, but would like to see the photos w/comments sometimes.
Also – re the shredded cheese – could you list a weight before shredding? These look so good!
Caitilin Weber says
This made me think of my dad. He was a native of Georgia, transplanted to Alabama where I grew up. Every Christmas, he would enlist me to help him make his mother’s cheese straws, which was very hard work I must say! We did not have food processors in those days! But the result was delicious. We used a dough extruder to make wavy, flat straws. Oddly, I never thought of using my food processor to make them!
Enjoyed the video!
Debbie P. says
Great video, Kevin! I can’t wait to try making the cheese straws….which will then give me an excuse to open up a bottle of Prosecco 🙂
Maryann says
Kevin , you look as nice on you tube as your pics on posts. I have been a fan of yours since early on, keep up the good work!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Maryann – Blushing now.
Arlene S. Bice says
Love your new venture into video! You are marvelous! and so are your Cheese Straws! thanks for all you do…
Carolyn says
I will repeat a question: have you tried to freeze them? They sound delicious!
Happy New Year!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Carolyn – The straws are delicious indeed. They stay fresh and crisp for at least 2 days. I have not tried to freeze them.
Mike says
Great video Kevin. And I am sure they will become more entertaining as you get more comfortable with it. don’t give up. also the audio sounded perfect to me. thankyou for all that you do.
Cynna says
The cheese straws look delicious! Have you seen the video with the text copy of your audio at the bottom? It’s like someone with no knowledge of the English language trying to take notes and form words–hysterical! “Hiking through herbs; choose drugs right now; the whole courting place; clock napkin; carbonated phone; rearrange the sea…” and others. Very entertaining, and I’m sure you didn’t mean it to be. 🙂
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Cynna – My CC (close-captioned text) is turned off for the very reasons you described. What a hoot!
Julie R says
I was so happy to see a video from you, waiting in my email. You have inspired me to make these Cheese Straws, especially after seeing how easy they are to make. It was nice to see Lily at the beginning of the video = )
Dolores F says
Hi Kevin, love the video and plan on making the cheese straws. Got to thinking…could you make these straws with other kinds of cheese too?
vgrb says
These are sooo good, so easy and a whole lot of fun to make. And when people ask – I know they will – I’ll simply show them the link to your video and recipe. How easy is that?
Thank you, Kevin!!
Irene says
Hi Kevin
A friend of mine made these and they were absolutely delicious! My question is can these be frozen?
I’d like to make them for my kids who live in another State, and thought I’d make a batch, but don’t want to do this at the last minute.
Thank you Kevin!
Deanne says
I have been wanting to make the cheese sticks for quite awhile but was not able as my replacement Quisinart blade had not arrived yet. I was finally able to make them yesterday and took them to a dinner party. The recipe was very quick and easy. They were a huge hit at the party. Everyone wanted the recipe. Thanks Kevin.
Andy Milford says
Just made a double batch!
They’re a hit! 🙂
Alberta Dugo says
I also made these. Very easy and they were delicious. Had a great kick to them.
You could eat all of them quickly.