I don’t know any good party card tricks.
I have one joke. It goes exactly like this:
How do you catch a unique bird?
….. You nique (as in… sneak) up on it.
Yea. It’s bad. That’s totally not a good party joke unless you’re dressed as a clown and making balloon animals for 6 year olds.
I’m a little awkward when it comes to casual party conversation. I’m awful when it comes to remembering names. I’m not the kind of girl that sings karaoke or plays rock band… it’s really just better if I don’t partake in these sort of party activities.
You know where to find me at a party… the kitchen. Obviously. Can I help you with that potato salad? Can I make you a cocktail? Can I whip up some chocolate chip cookies? Perhaps you’d like some sparkling water with cucumber.
And. Come to think of it. I totally do have one party trick! Cheese straws. They’re so easy… and they’ll so make you feel Martha Stewart-ish.
Also! There’s an important note that has nothing to do with cheese, straws, or bad party jokes.
I’m going on book tour with the release of my first cookbook, the Joy the Baker Cookbook… out on February 28th.
Check out where I’ll be on this little Book Tour. I humbly request your smiling face meet mine!
For this easy party trick, we’re working with puff pastry.
Puff pastry has a way of making everything easy.
It also has a way of creating that ‘wow-factor’ thing…. it’s all the puff and fluff created by pastry layers.
I think this sort of thing is as pretty as can be.
They’ll get prettier too! Golden brown and crunchy good!
After a bit of baking, the puff pastry becomes golden brown and butter flakey. The cheese melts and locks in all the herby good flavor. The whole pastry becomes a party-friendly cracker rod.
You look like a flawless hostess. Your dress is ironed. Your shoes are pretty. You haven’t even broken a sweat.
And your cat? How he covets.
Parmesan and Herb Cheese Straws
adapted from Shutterbean
makes about 16 straws
1 large egg, beaten
few dashes of hot sauce
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed but still cold.
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped chives
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
coarse ground black pepper
coarse sea salt
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Unfold puff pastry on a lightly floured work surface and roll out just slightly. The puff pastry should measure about 10×12-inches.
In a small bowl, whisk together egg, hot sauce, and a splash of water. Brush the egg wash over the surface of the puff pastry. Sprinkle pastry with cheese and herbs, coarse pepper, and a bit of salt. Use the rolling pin to gently roll and press the toppings into the puff pastry.
Using a floured knife or pizza cutter, cut pastry lengthwise into about 1/2-inch strips. Hold each end of the pastry and twist several times. place the twisted pastry on the prepared sheet, about 1-inch apart.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. You may want to take the baking cheese straws out halfway through baking to flip. Allow to cool on the pan for 10 minutes before placing in a large glass to serve.
Cheese straws will last, in an airtight container at room temperature, for up to 3 days. They’re really best within a day of baking.
Lucia
Always trust cats: they perfectly know where good food is ;-)
Francesca
Really fantastic grissini! it’s how we call them in Italy!! I love the match parmesan-herbs a LOT!! I tried some time ago and made the same with olive paté and sesame seeds, yummy!! kisses from Italy
Sara {Home is Where the Cookies Are}
Yes! These look perfect! Love how easy AND cheesy they are. That’s awesome that you will be touring for you book! Congrats! Wish I was somewhere anywhere near one of those locals so I could pop in. . . .
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
I definitely am most comfortable in the kitchen! Small talk in big groups of people is so not my thing.
Ashleigh F
Thanks for sharing your party trick;) My two year old son LOVES cheese sticks:) I am going to be a popular girl over here.
Yay!
Maureen
It’s not only the cat that covets, I could use a few of these myself. I know how easy they are to make but I rarely think of it. I’m going to make some tomorrow and surprise everyone. :)
I don’t know any party tricks either. sad.
Aubrey
Haha I love this post! The straws, the covetous kitty, and your party confessions. I’m exactly the same way–at parties people are all like, “Come onnnnn Aubrey, get out of the kitchen! It’s a party!” Little do they know I hide there on purpose! Mahahah.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
These look awesome and I just happen to have 1 sheet of TJ’s Puff Pastry in the freezer! I need to get cheese though :)
And congrats, big time, on your book coming out in 2 weeks and that you’re going on tour…woo-hoo!
Skye from Skye Loves...
So very pretty. And so very yummy.
anuja
nice trick :). congratulations on your book release. On my next US visit definitely will look out for your book.
Myr
I’m equally ill at ease at parties/dinners, so I empathize. I have to go to a “game night” tomorrow that I am dreading a little, but perhaps these compelling cheese straws will take the edge off.
Congratulations on the book and book tour!
Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist's Kitchen
Beautiful cheese straws! I love them.
Also the word “nique” is kind of a bad word in slang Arabic, so it made that joke *really* funny/inappropriate.
Jennifer L.
I have the same joke, but with a rabbit. :) But there’s a second joke to go with it: How do you catch a tame rabbit? Tame way, you nique up on it… yeah, I’m bad at jokes, too. :)
The cheese straws look tasty!
Kathryn
I can’t wait to get a copy of your book in my grubby little hands! Just waiting for that Amazon email to say that it’s been dispatched :D
I’ve made similar straws before with paprika and gruyere – love the combination of spice and mellow cheese. Mine didn’t look anywhere near as pretty as yours though. Sad face.
Tori (@eatori)
So gorgeous. My theory on parties goes; if someone can have a drink in their hand within 45 seconds of arriving, the rest takes care of itself.