Spicy Cheese Straws

Tomorrow is Mardi Gras!! Let’s keep the celebrating going from Valentines and live it up before the Lent Season begins.  Partying for me looks like indulging in all my favorite foods. I grew up 3 hours from the great city of New Orleans so we visited quite often and I fell in love early with cajun and creole food. I just love the spicy, rich flavors Nola has to offer and love celebrating it any chance I get. We ate King Cakes every year and Beignets and Pralines were a MUST when visiting the city. This year, however, I want to celebrate with the more savory side of NO flavors. I am also a southern girl and cheese straws are THE most southern food there is and I certainly never attended a party, baby shower or afternoon wedding without them. 

Today I am combining the cajun flavors with the a new take on cheese straws utilizing puff pastry to be celebrating Mardi Gras. Puff Pastry is definitely an indulgence, so this is perfect for chowing down before we head into Lent. These are not only good for Mardi Gras, but also great for any kinda party. Now I am using Old Bay seasoning. While this isn’t technically “cajun”, it has similar flavors and can be interchangeable with your favorite creole or cajun seasoning. I grew up eating crawfish boils and they just aren’t right if your aren’t using Old Bay. A LOT of people down in the bayou use it, too! But, feel free to use your favorite cajun seasoning instead!

See below for step x step instructions (with pictures) and scroll to the bottom for the printable recipe!

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Glass Bowls // Puff Pastry

Recipe:

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a couple of large baking sheets with parchment paper. 

STEP 2: Thaw your puff pastry and place on a lightly floured surface.

STEP 3: Roll the puff pastry to be 12×8 inch rectangle and trim edges as necessary. I always use this pastry mat because it is so great for when something needs to be a certain size. 

Pastry Mat // Puff Pastry

STEP 4: Brush the pastry with half of the olive oil.

Pastry Mat // Puff Pastry

 

STEP 5: Sprinkle the right half of pastry with half of the old bay seasoning and half of the parmesan cheese.

Pastry Mat // Puff Pastry

STEP 6: Fold the pastry in half (un-sprinkled side over sprinkled side).

Pastry Mat // Puff Pastry

STEP 7: Roll into a 12×8 rectangle again. Repeat above steps with remaining ingredients (sprinkle and fold).

Pastry Mat // Puff Pastry

STEP 8: Fold again to make an 8×6 rectangle. Roll it out a little if needed.

Pastry Mat // Puff Pastry

STEP 9: Cut strips (about a third of an inch). 

Pastry Mat // Puff Pastry

 

STEP 10: Take the strips, twist them lightly and place onto the prepared baking sheets, being sure to pinch the ends a bit.

Baking Sheet 

STEP 11: Mix water and egg together in a small bowl.

STEP 12: Brush each pastry with the egg wash.

Baking Sheet

STEP 13: Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. 

Baking Sheet // Cooling Rack

 

 

 

Products I used:

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Printable Recipe:

Old Bay Cheese Straws

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Print

Ingredients

• 1 sheet of frozen Puff Pastry
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons water
• all-purpose flour, for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a couple of large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Thaw your puff pastry and place on a lightly floured surface.
3. Roll the puff pastry out to be a 12x8 rectangle and trim edges as necessary.
4. Brush the pastry with half of the olive oil.
5. Sprinkle the right half of the pastry with half of the seasoning and half of the parmesan cheese.
6. Fold the pastry in half.
7. Roll into a 12x8 rectangle again. Repeat steps 4-6 above.
8. Fold over again to make an 8x6 rectangle.
9. Cut strips (about 1/3 of an inch).
10. Take the strips, twist them lightly and place onto the prepared baking sheets, being sure to pinch the ends.
11. Mix water and egg together in a small bowl.
12. Brush straws with the egg wash.
13. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

adapted from Southern Living