Choice Canapes
Make a simple version of cheese straws using ready-made puff pastry, and serve them with a delicious easy-to-make cheese pate. Perfect for serving as a snack or party nibble!
Serves 6 - 8
Ingredients - Pate
200g (7oz) Pilgrims Choice Mature
cheddar, finely grated
200g (7oz) tub low fat soft cheese
4 spring onions, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
Ingredients - Twists
500g pack ready-made puff pastry,
thawed if frozen
2 tbsp sun-dried tomato puree
75g (3oz) Pilgrims Choice Mature cheddar, finely grated
Vegetable oil, for greasing
For the pate, mix together the Cheddar, low fat soft cheese and spring onions with a wooden spoon. Season with black pepper. Chill until ready to serve.
Preheat the oven to 200°C / fan oven 180°C / Gas Mark 6. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets with a little vegetable oil.
Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to measure approximately 35 x 23cm (14 x 9 inches). Spread the tomato puree over the surface and sprinkle with the cheese. Fold the pastry in half, then re-roll to roughly the same measurements as before. Cut into strips about 23cm (9 inches) long and 1.5cm (3/4 inch) wide. Twist them and arrange on the baking sheets, allowing room for them to spread. Bake for 8-10 minutes until cooked and golden. Cook in batches until all the dough has been baked.
Serve the cheese twists with the cheese pate.
Cook's Tip
The pate is delicious served on oatcakes or mini garlic bread croutons, if you don't have time to make the twists.