CHEESE BLOSSOMS THREE WAYS

Cheese straws are such a classic Southern tradition that it seems almost cliché to write about them. They are served at ladies’ luncheons, cocktail parties, and holiday festivities. I have been making them for years except that  during my early attempts I had a hard time turning the dough into “straws”. I used a cookie press, and the treats came out flowers. Never mind, my kids loved them so I have been making them that way ever since.

Cheese straws/blossoms are required at every family gathering, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I make double and triple batches and lug them in my carry-on luggage when I travel. That way they don’t get turned into cheese crumbs.  Even at that, the little gems disappear before everyone has had his or her fill. In fact, after many years, I have learned that some of the family have hidden away private stashes, not trusting the others to share gracefully.

This year, Carol and Cameron will be visiting from Los Angeles for a few days. Then my wife and I will head to the Bay Area to enjoy Thanksgiving with the others. I decided to make three batches and to try different cheese combinations. The usual version uses extra sharp Cheddar cheese. I gave Swiss (Emmentaler) and bleu (Roquefort) cheeses a try as well. The recipes are not wildly different, but because of the different moistures and consistencies of the three cheeses, a little different approach is required for each. In the end, though, I was pleased with the result.

Grating cheese with the food processor

Chilled butter cubes and processed cheese mixture

Old-fashioned cookie press

Ready for baking

Cheddar cheese blossoms cooling on a baking rack

Three versions of cheese blossoms ready to serve

RECIPES

Cheddar Cheese Blossoms

Ingredients

• 8 ounces extra sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons (one stick) chilled butter, cut into 8 pieces. Important: Do NOT use margarine.

Method

1. With the grater blade in place, grate the cheese in food processor. Transfer to a plate and let come to room temperature.
2. Change to the metal blade of the food processor. Add grated cheese, flour, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper and salt in the bowl of the food processor. Pulse until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl from time to time.
3. Add the butter and continue to process until it forms a ball.  Do not over-process or the butter will melt and separate.
4. Turn out on a work surface, Knead until any extra crumbs of the dough are incorporated into the ball.
5. Working in batches, use a cookie press to form flower shapes on an ungreased cookie sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart.
6. Bake in the middle of oven preheated to 300°F for 20 to 25 minutes. Bake a few minutes longer if you want a darker color. Cool on a baking rack and store in an air-tight tin.
7. Makes about 6 dozen.

Swiss Cheese and Dill Blossoms

Ingredients

• 8 ounces “Swiss” (Emmentaler) cheese
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Kirsch
• 2 tablespoons dill fronds, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons (one stick) chilled butter, cut into 8 pieces. Important: Do NOT use margarine.

Method

1. With the grater blade in place, grate the cheese in food processor. Transfer to a plate and let come to room temperature.
2. Change to the metal blade of the food processor. Add grated cheese,flour, Kirsch, dill and salt in the bowl of the food processor. Pulse until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl from time to time.
3. Add the butter and continue to process until it forms a ball.  Do not over-process or the butter will melt and separate.
4. Turn out on a work surface, Knead until any extra crumbs of the dough are incorporated into the ball.
5. Working in batches, use a cookie press to form flower shapes on an ungreased cookie sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart.
6. Bake in the middle of oven preheated to 300°F for 20 to 25 minutes. Bake a few minutes longer if you want a darker color. Cool on a baking rack and store in an air-tight tin.
7. Makes about 6 dozen

Roquefort Cheese Blossoms

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Roquefort cheese
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Pernod
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons (one stick) chilled butter, cut into 8 pieces. Important: Do NOT use margarine.

Method

1. Crumble the cheese into the bowl of the food processor. Add  flour, Pernod,  and salt. Pulse until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl from time to time.Add the butter and continue to process until it forms a ball.  Do not over-process or the butter will melt and separate.
2. Turn out on a work surface, Knead until any extra crumbs of the dough are incorporated into the ball.
3. Working in batches, use a cookie press to form flower shapes on an ungreased cookie sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart.
4. Bake in the middle of oven preheated to 300°F for 20 to 25 minutes. Bake a few minutes longer if you want a darker color. Cool on a baking rack and store in an air-tight tin.
5. Makes about 6 dozen