How to Make Easy Tasty Cheese Straws

Up to a couple of months ago I had no knowledge of cheese straws, let alone knew what they were. I saw them for the first time on the food channel on television. I found the name to be intriguing and decided that cheese straws was something that I wanted to give my full attention to. It didn't take long before this southern treat was baking in my oven and being eaten by my family. They all loved them! They went very well with the tomato soup I served them with. The recipe I chose was a two combination blend of cheese and I couldn't have been more pleased. This recipe is not only easy to prepare, it has a minimal of ingredients and is very economical.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 1/2 cups Heart Healthy Bisquick mix
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (can be low-fat)
• 2/3 cup low-fat or 2% milk
• 1 tablespoon low-fat margarine-soften
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• Tomato pasta sauce (if desired for dipping. Heat amount you need in a microwave safe container in the microwave)

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Spray a couple of cookie sheets with non stick cooking spray like Pam.

2. Combine the 2 1/2 cups of Heart Healthy or Original Bisquick Mix, 2/3 cup low-fat or 2% milk, and 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese. Stir these ingredients until they form a soft dough. You may want to add more cheese, I know I did. When you do, you will need to add more milk or the dough will be too dry and not form a ball of dough.

3. Divide the dough in half. Sprinkle a clean working surface with a small amount of Bisquick Mix. This will stop your ball of dough from sticking to the surface. Using a rolling pen or your hands make a 9x6 inch rectangle with one of the halfs of dough.

4. Spread 1/2 of 1 tablespoon of low-fat margarine on the rectangle of dough. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the dough. Make sure you cover all the area.

5. Cut the dough in small (1/2 inch) strips, about 16-18 strips. Twist the strips as many times as the dough will allow. Place the strips on your prepared cookie sheets making sure they do not touch, they will puff up some.

6. Bake in your 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until the strips are golden brown. I wanted a shiny product and my family wanted more cheese. I lightly coated my baked strips with 1 well beaten egg, then a sprinkled more Parmesan cheese over the top of the strips. I placed the cookie sheet back in the oven for 5 more minutes. Boy! It made all the difference in the world! My cheese straws took on a whole range of degree in taste! I think you will like the added amount of taste too! Repeat with the other half of the dough. This recipe makes 34-36 cheese straws and that is a good thing, because I WARN you they won't last long!! Serve with tomato dipping sauce.