These spicy cheese straws are super easy to make in a single bowl and the results are incredible: a crisp, buttery cheese straw with a good kick of chilli and black pepper.
Put the flour, mustard, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk together
Add the cold, cubed butter. Rub together until you have a fine crumb. You can do this by pulsing in a food processor if you prefer. You'll know when it's combined enough as the flour should look more yellow.
Add the finely grated cheese and chopped chilli. Mix through with a fork.
Add the milk and cut through with a cutlery knife until it starts to clump.
Knead gently until it comes together in a dough.
Roll the dough out to approximately 28cm square (11 inch square). It should be about 3-4mm thick (1/8 inch) thick. Trim the edges of the square to make it more even.
Cut the pastry into long strips. I used a ruler for this and cut them about 1.5cm (1/2 inch wide).
Transfer the straws to one or two nonstick baking sheets, leaving a little space between them.
Brush lightly with beaten egg.
Sprinkle on a pinch of salt and pepper.
Bake for 10 minutes until crisp.
Leave to cool on the tray. They should be crisp, light and able to support their weight if picked up from one end.