Cheese Straws
(Makes 16 pieces)

Only you will know how easy it is to make these delicious twists. They are wonderful served as appetizers, or with soups or stews. They will add a special touch to a lunch meal, or can be wrapped and given as a much-appreciated hostess gift.

1/4 cup grated high quality parmesan cheese
1/2 pound frozen puff pastry, thawed

Preheat a conventional oven according to the instructions on the puff pastry package. Line a baking sheet with kitchen parchment paper.

Sprinkle the work surface with a little less than half of the cheese. Place the dough over the cheese and then sprinkle the remaining cheese generously over the pastry. You need to use more cheese than you would think, because the pastry will spread out when it bakes and the coating will become thinner. Roll it to a uniform 1/8” thick square, trimming to make the ends straight. It should be approximately a 9-inch square.

Using a ruler for accuracy cut the square into 4 equal pieces, forming 4 long rectangles. Cut each of those lengthwise in half and then each of those pieces lengthwise in half again. You should have 16 strips.

Move the strips to the prepared baking sheet, twisting an end with each hand, simultaneously twisting the two ends in opposite directions to form the twist.

Bake the twists in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, depending on oven temperature, or until a rich golden brown. Be sure to rotate the pans halfway through baking.

Store the twists in an airtight container for up to two weeks away from heat and moisture.

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