Monday: Slummy Recipe - Cheddar and Cumin Twists

I was reminiscing the other day about my life in England. Before I came to Australia, I worked for a bakery chain who used to make the BEST cheese straws.

This recipe is the closest I have found to remind me of those yummy cheese snacks.

Image and recipe from http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/22880/cheddar+and+cumin+twists
Original photography by Ben Dearnley

Ingredients (makes 16)
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
2/3 cup grated vintage cheddar cheese
2 sheets frozen ready-rolled puff pastry, partially thawed
1 egg, lightly beaten

Method

1. Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.
2. Combine cumin seeds, pepper, parmesan and cheddar in a bowl. 
3. Place 1 sheet pastry on prepared tray. Brush with egg. Sprinkle with half the cumin mixture. Top with remaining pastry sheet. Press down firmly to secure. Brush pastry with egg. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cumin mixture. Cover. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until pastry is firm.
4. Using a sharp knife, cut pastry in half. Cut each half into 3cm-wide strips. Twist strips. Place on prepared tray. Bake for 12 minutes or until browned and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve.

Recipe can be found at:

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/22880/cheddar+and+cumin+twists

www.taste.com.au

Recipe originally published in Super Food Ideas magazine - August 2009

Recipe by Cynthia Black

This is how mine turned out - they were delicious. I used a sprinkle of paprika instead of cumin as my family prefer it.