Joy the Baker

Parmesan and Herb Cheese Straws

by 147 Comments

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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.

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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!

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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.

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I think this sort of thing is as pretty as can be.

They’ll get prettier too!  Golden brown and crunchy good!

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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.

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And your cat?  How he covets.

Parmesan and Herb Cheese Straws

adapted from Shutterbean

makes about 16 straws

Print this Recipe!

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.  

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. R.T.

    I’m so sad! I made these the other night and followed the recipe to a T, but once the straws were placed in the oven all of the cheese and herbs slid out of the twisted pastry and onto the pan. This recipe is such a great idea, but I’m not sure what went wrong. Is there a step I’m missing?

    Reply

  3. Karen

    I don’t see shallots in your photos, but I do see what looks like chives or possibly scallions. And is that really thyme, or perhaps rosemary? Looks delicious, regardless!

    Reply

  5. Amy @ Saving with Us

    Yay!!! I totally have some Puff Pastry in my freezer and I’ve been dying to do something different with! This is great idea! No party to try them out for but, by the looks of them, they might not have made it to the party anyway! =) Thank you!!

    Reply

  6. Katy Lowe

    These look so yummy, I am making them this weekend…and can’t wait to share them as I’ll look like quite the talent around my friends! lol Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  7. Alyssa Goodnight

    These look yummy!
    I wish, wish, wish you were coming to Houston. Or Austin. I would love to step up to the table and have you sign my pretty, shiny book! Maybe on the next round… :)

    Have a great time! Enjoy every moment!

    Reply

  9. Megandmog

    I only ever have one joke in my head at a time, at the moment, it’s the truly naff:

    Which cheese do you use to hide a horse?
    Mascarpone

    (possibly only works with an English accent)

    Reply

  14. Devon

    Congratulations! I already ordered my cookbook on line but will you have some on hand on the tour? I want to get my signed and I’m nervous it won’t get here in time.

    Reply

  17. Nikkilooch

    Yay for your book tour! I’m sorry I’m going to miss you as you’re touring around but I’ve already pre-ordered your book and am going to have a pretend Joy book tour at my house while flipping through your book and listening to your podcast. Is that lame? I don’t care. Totes nerding out and doing it.

    You’ll be great!

    Reply

  18. Jessie

    As I was reading the post, my husband came over to see what I was doing, saw the uncooked straw pic and said, “What the?!” Then I scrolled down to the cooked version pic and he said,”Aaah..oooh!” That about sums up what I think of the straws as well. :)

    Reply

  25. nick

    sorry,didnt have time to read the comments and see if someone asked that before.when you say ”hot sauce” what do you mean exactly?

    Reply

  26. Anne Weber-Falk

    I like your party trick and your joke better than my one and only joke. Here goes…What’s big and red and eats rocks? A big red rock eater! Yep, yours is much better.

    Reply

  27. Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb

    Hi there!
    Just hopped over from heathers blog. Congrats to your new book, u must be so excited! =)
    Your herby cheese straws would be over in 5 mintues if they were standing like that around in my house. Looks like your cat has taken a fancy on them. ;)

    Reply

  29. MBrando

    Yep, they’re definitely the best. I make them too, back here in Slovenija, yet with some other stuff/ingredients.
    I love this kind of things for meetings,partying or just having a conversation over a glass of red wine.
    A far far better way of a snack, then all the faty,salty chips from the store. Yak ;)

    Reply

  37. bluetiger

    Very perky indeed these straws – they look great on the table you’ve set.
    This is a really weird joke but funny – a kid told me it once many many years ago.
    What’s green and rides across the dessert? Lawrence of Asparagus :)

    Reply

  40. Seanna Lea

    This looks both crazy easy and a lot of fun.

    Oh, and I made the pretzel dogs (with veggie hot dogs) over the weekend, and while they were definitely the best the first day they still warmed up well and were tasty all week long even when using the microwave!

    Reply

  50. Kelly

    These look delish!! And I always enjoy seeing your cat in the background. He reminds me of my orange kitty (who was a demon for the first 2 years of his life, but has turned into a lazy loaf of fur since lol).

    I wish I could show my smiling face at a book tour stop! But you aren’t coming to Phoenix (hello? 8th largest city in the US! and we have some lovely little bookstores around ASU). Now I’m going to go pout until your book arrives in two weeks. haha

    Reply

  51. Gary

    This would be great to make with my niece. She accidentally made pastry the other day – just happened to mix the right ingredients together in the right way.

    Reply

  52. Christine

    Here’s my joke:
    Why don’t lions play cards in the jungle? Because there are too many cheetahs!

    As a side note: your cookbook will be available at the book signings??

    Reply

  53. Rocky Mountain Woman

    I laughed at your joke!

    I am convinced most of friends only invite me to parties because they know I’ll take over the kitchen and then they can go have fun….

    Wish you were coming to UT on your book tour. I WOULD SO come and meet you face to face!

    xxoo,

    RMW

    Reply

  54. Emily'

    i use the same joke! except with a rabbit… “how do you catch a unique rabbit?” but the second part of the joke is “how do you catch a tame rabbit?” “the tame way!” :)

    Reply

  55. Rachael

    oooh these look yummy!

    Plus, I love the photo of Jules staring at the straws…..’now, will they be worth my while jumping up there for?’ heck yes!

    Reply

  60. emmycooks

    I do like something that looks fancy with no work. But even more, I like the fabulous new jokes I’ve learned from this post and comments. Between these tips, I’m SO going to be the hit of the next party!

    Reply

  64. Cindy

    Ha, your joke reminds me of my “one” joke. “What did one snowman say to the other snowman?” Sniff, sniff (sniffing sound) – “Do you smell carrots?” Makes me giggle EVERY time:) Have a sweet day Joy!

    Reply

  67. Mark

    Here is a food joke to add to your Unique Rabbit arsenal:

    What do you call cheese that’s not yours? Nacho Cheese.

    And to add to the ‘7 ate 9’ joke:

    What did the Zero say to the Number Eight? “Nice Belt” (think about it)

    Love this blog!

    Reply

  77. Christyna

    Thank you! I recently made some “instant puff pastry” and have been thinking of all the savory ways that I can use it (I got the sweet ways covered). These cheese straws are perfect!! Can’t wait to see you on your book tour, Joy. Looking forward to both receiving my pre-ordered copy, and having you (one of my favorite bloggers) sign it!

    Reply

  85. Eliza Domestica

    Puff pastry rocks my socks off. Made cheese sticks similar to these over
    the holidays but with rosemary – so good.
    congrats on your book! I preordered mine and can’t wait to get my hands on it!:)

    Reply

  86. Shawna@ CheekyChicFamily

    The cheese straws in the last picture look prettier than a bouquet of flowers. It probably smells just as nice too! These are GREAT for parties. Thank you for sharing.

    Here’s a joke to add to your repertoire (it’s the only one I have too….) How do you make a tissue dance?…..You put a little boogie in it. (I live with three small boys….this is hilarious to them.)

    Reply

  88. Sarah

    How did you know i needed a recipe for company coming over? I was sweating over it and i randomly came over here to drool ( as usual) and BOOM- a recipe. That is just freaky. You think i can score a date if i serve these? :)

    Reply

  89. cassie o

    i’m giving you one of my jokes. consider yourself incredibly lucky, this doesn’t happen often.

    how many hipsters does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

    it’s an obscure number you probably haven’t heard of it.

    this joke KILLS … unless you have to explain to your mother-in-law what a “hipster” is in the middle of the joke. then the joke is killed.

    Reply

  90. April

    I also hang out in the kitchen at parties! That’s because it’s where all the food and booze usually hangs out, duh. =)

    Here’s my one joke, also appropriate for small children:

    How do you get a tissue to dance? Put a little boogie in it!

    Reply

  91. Rachael B

    I think that’s almost as bad as “A blind man walks into a bar. Ouch.” That one usually goes over pretty flatly, but after that ANYTHING sounds good.

    Reply

  94. thelittleloaf

    Haha, the kitchen is exactly where I head at any party too, accompanied by my boyfriend who is usually sniffing out the cocktails :-) These cheese straws look wonderful and the perfect party trick.

    Can’t wait for your book to come out in the UK – I have it on pre-order!

    Reply

  97. laura @ A Healthy Jalapeño

    Joy, those cheese straws look insanely good. I am catering my friends bachelorette party (15 beautiful ladies after an afternoon at the vineyards) and this was one item that was definitely on my menu. I love the herbs and park twisted into the bread though, fabulous! Have a great weekend!

    Reply

  98. Meg H.

    Again, you come through for me! I am having some ladies over for brunch and now I know what to bake to go with the salad. Love it!!

    Reply

  104. kmarie

    i’m going to make these for game night!
    if you need to, you can borrow my only joke to go with your unique bird one. here goes:
    what’s invisible and smells like carrots?? bunny farts!! ok–it gets big laughs from 7 year olds. sorry. maybe tracy’s son, cooper, will like it. thanks for so many delicious and use-able recipes. we’ve made your soups many times this winter :)

    Reply

  106. 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

    Reply

  110. 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.

    Reply

  111. 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.

    Reply

  115. 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!

    Reply

  117. 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!

    Reply

  118. 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.

    Reply

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