My Famous Cheese Straws

Today I have to make a batch of cheese straws.  I have been making cheese straws for a long time.  I almost know the recipe by heart.  I do check to make sure I haven't missed any ingredients.  I have become rather famous for my cheese straws because of Pilot Club.  I made them for one of my friends who was installed has governor of the district.  I had a throw down with the manager of the country club where she was installed.  He turned out to be a cousin of mine.  He said his were the best and he used Rice Crispies in his recipe so we had a throw down. I won hands down.  Then I was asked to bring them to the International Convention where some Yankees that had never had cheese straws were fascinated with the treat.  I was asked for my recipe from many of them. Then last summer I was asked to make cheese straws by everyone(or it seemed that way) that was getting married.  I did discover in doing this that the ingredients does make a difference.  Some of the ladies I told if you buy the ingredients then I will make them.  They would buy the cheapest cheese they could find and it was just not the same.  You need to buy good cheese and butter.  I always make cheese straws at Christmas time and I use Miss. State Cheese.  I do that because I am cheap.  Someone always gives us Miss. State Cheese.  IF you have never had State Cheese, then you are  missing out on a real treat.  It is the best cheese ever!!!!  


I have also destroyed many cookie press making cheese straws.  I have plastic cookie press that the thick dough of cheese pushed through the press causing the plastic pump to break. Bobby decided that he could build a better pump.  He took the tube and connected it to the pump of a caulking gun.  The only trouble with it is I have to hold the plastic tube into the gun.  We have not come up with a good way to hold it tight but someday I am sure he will figure it out or I will buy a metal cookie press.  


I hope you enjoy these southern treats as much as my family does.

Cheese Straws

This recipe is from the Mississippi Cookbook

1 lb of Margarine or Butter

1 lb of cheese(I use MS State cheese but sharp cheddar when I don’t have it)

1 tsp. of Red Pepper

5 cups of plain flour

Garlic Salt

Grate cheese.  Let margarine come to room temperature.  Mix cheese and margarine.  Add pepper and flour to margarine and cheese until well blended.  I put them in my cookie press and press out.  You can roll out and cut in strips.  Preheat oven at 350 degrees.  Bake straws for 15 minutes until golden brown.  While still hot sprinkle lightly with garlic salt.  Don’t go overboard on the garlic salt.  You just need a light sprinkle.