Cheese straws are a favorite with cocktails, a spaghetti dinner, as a snack or even on a charcuterie platter. There are many versions and usually cheese is an ingredient, which is probably why I like them so much. Manchego cheese has a rather assertive bite and blends perfectly with the oregano and garlic. Prosciutto would also be a good addition with this cheese.
Now when it comes to the puff pastry you use there are some differences, mainly price and whether you want all butter or not. After some shopping and researching I was surprised with what I found:
Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry: 17.25 oz. (2 sheets) for $5.59
Dufour All Butter Puff Pastry: 14 oz. (1 large thick sheet) for $12.89
Trader Joe’s All Butter Puff Pastry 18.3 oz. (2 sheets) for $3.99
A fellow blogger, Ronit at Tasty Treats, has mentioned Dufour All-Butter Puff Pastry in a few of her posts. Then, I read in one of my Martha Stewart cookbooks “Appetizers” where she recommends using Dufour or Trader Joe’s All-Butter Puff Pastry. Two great sources and I thought I would give them a try. I will buy Trader Joe’s All Butter this Fall…
Trader Joe’s puff pastry is seasonal and only available from late September through the holidays while supplies last. However, there is a $8.90 price difference between Trader Joe’s (with 4.3 oz. more) and Dufour.
I found Dufour only at Whole Foods and of course Trader Joe’s is at their stores. Pepperidge Farm is not all butter but it is readily available in most grocery stores but costs more than Trader Joe’s All-Butter. I will be making a Fall trip to Trader Joe’s for sure and do a taste comparison with Dufour. Then I will decide…
Manchego Cheese Straws Using Puff Pastry
- 1/2 cup Manchego cheese, grated
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thaw in refrigerator, not countertop, and it will be less sticky and easier to handle when cutting and twisting) See comment…
- 1 egg plus 1 tbsp. water
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the cheese, oregano and garlic powder in a small bowl; set aside.
On a lightly floured surface (a granite counter works beautifully) roll pastry into a 14×12-inch rectangle. Cut the rectangle in half crosswise to form two 12×7-inch rectangles. Whisk together the egg and water and brush the pastry halves lightly.
Sprinkle cheese over one of the rectangles. Place the other half, brushed side down, on top of the cheese mixture. Firmly press all sides together of the rectangle with your fingers. Seal edges while pressing out air bubbles. Manchego doesn’t fully melt so most of it stays on the puff pastry while baking. Brush the top with more egg mixture.
With a pastry wheel cut 1/2-inch wide strips, crosswise; I was able to get 16. Twist each strip and place on ungreased baking sheet 1-inch apart; press down ends into pan to keep them from moving. They took 20 minutes to bake in my oven. Transfer to a rack to cool…
I suppose you could freeze them for later but who would want to after smelling the wonderful aroma of bread baking.
Comment: When I can buy Trader Joe’s Puff Pastry in the Fall I will do a taste test on all three brands.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
For more recipes:
Sesame/Poppy Seed Cheese Straws
“Who would want to after smelling the wonderful aroma of bread baking” – so with you on that! These look totally irresistible.
As much as I recall, I paid around $7 for Trader Joe’s pasty. Maybe the price you have was a special sale? In any case, I’m definitely looking for it to come back, and this time, I’ll be stacking a few in the freezer. 🙂
Thanks – even using Pepperidge Farm they were super good! I’m saving the Dufour until I can get Trader Joe’s all-butter in the Fall 🙂 The price for Dufour may be worth it – I suppose it depends also on what you use it for. Martha recommended the all-butter for her cheese straws! By the way I got the $3.99 price online – who knows what it will be in a few months…
I’d be happy to get it for this price, but, unfortunately, I’m quite sure it’s going to be more expensive.
You got my attention at the mere mention of puff pastry. I hate to see the cost of that right now. I’m still adding it to the grocery list. 😜🍃
I agree Gail, Dufour puff pastry is very expensive even when I bought it a couple months ago. I am anxious to see the availability and cost of Trader Joe’s brand this Fall. Unfortunately, the price on so many things are going up 🙁
It’s crazy! 💲💲💲
Pretty! Manchego is such a good cheese. I have to go to Whole Foods to get a big chunk of it. Otherwise my grocery store sells it in little, expensive pieces.
For cheese you can always count on Whole Foods and most specialty items. I love the store 🙂
yes i always use butter puff as normal puff pastry is full of nasties. These sound delicious.
I love these cheese straws using different cheese and spices. I grew up with Pepperidge Farm products and that was all I used until now – obviously anything made with butter has to taste better 🙂