Recipe: Cumin And Cheese Straws

Recipe makes about 24 • Preheat oven to 200˚ C/400˚ F/ Gas Mark 6 • Vegetarian/Halal

Ingredients:

• 115g /4 oz plain flour, plus a little extra for dusting
• 1 tbsp of cumin seeds
• Pinch of salt
• 1tsp curry powder
• 55g/2 oz butter, plus extra for greasing
• 55g/2 oz grated Cheddar cheese
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Method:

• Sift the flour, salt and curry powder into a bowl. 
• Add the butter in chunks and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles a breadcrumb texture.
• Add the cheese and half the egg and mix it all with your hands or a wooden spoon to form a dough.
• Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• Grease several large baking sheets - although the mixture doesn't expand much while cooking, it needs space.
• Roll out the dough on a floured surface to around 5mm/ 1/4 inch thick. Then cut the rolled dough into strips that are approximately 7-8cm x 1cm (3 x 1/4 inch strips). Pinch the strips lightly along the edges and place on baking sheets.
• Brush the remaining egg over the strips and sprinkle with cumin seeds.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes until the straws are baked through and golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool.

For alternatives you could try poppy seeds and sesame seeds.
Do let us know how you get on if you try this out. I scoffed the lot within minutes. Enjoy!

Wa `alaykum salam.
the eco muslim