Mother’s Sesame Cheese Strips (Straws)

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/8 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (an addition from Julie) (optional)
• 2 tablespoons ice water
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (toasted or untoasted, your preference)
• 3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil/spray cookie sheets.

2. 2

   Blend together flour, cheese, salt, and oils in a medium-size bowl until crumbly. Add ice water gradually to form a soft dough. Roll the dough between 2 sheets of wax paper to form an approximate 15x12-inch rectangle. Remove top pieces of paper. Place greased, lightly floured cookie sheet over dough. Invert and remove second piece of paper.

3. 3

   Sprinkle sesame seeds over dough. Roll lightly with a rolling pin to press the seeds into the dough. Cut into 1x1-inch strips and transfer to pan-sprayed cookie sheets (larger pieces may also be made, but make sure to check their cooking times so that they are baked to your preferred texture).

4. 4

   Bake the strips at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and sheet and allow to cool on wire rack.

5. 5

   You can add a bit of cayenne pepper powder to the dough if you like them a little spicy like traditional Southern Cheese Straws, too.