Dells Cheese Straws

My mom grew up in northern Mississippi. The Junior League of Jackson MS published a cookbook in 1977 with Taylor Publishing out of Dallas Tx. Between 1977 and 1992 they published 315,000 copies. Each of my brothers and sisters has one. When we visit at Thanksgiving many of the dishes that we eat are out of this cookbook.

One of the items that my mother would cook each holiday season, just to have for snack, are Dells Cheese Straws. I like them with some salty marinated olives. They are so easy and a big payoff.

Ingredients: (makes about 5 dozen)

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8oz) stick Cracker Barrel Cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne red pepper
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon flour, sifted

Preheat oven to 350

Mix butter with cheese and seasonings. Add flour and form into dough. (it seems really dry but just form a dough) Roll out and score with a fork. Cut between the fork indentations and cut into 2 inch long pieces. Bake on parchment papered cookie sheet for 25 minutes