Blue Cheese-Walnut Bites

Derf's Note:

These are great to have ready in the fridge for "drop ins", (have some waiting there now), Stick them in the oven, remove to serving tray and top with a thin slice of tart apple, serve immediately. or use in place of crackers, top with almost anything you like! (Better homes and gardens)

• Total Time: 2 hrs 33 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs 8 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 72 appy bi ...

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 -3 teaspoons cracked black pepper
• 8 ounces blue cheese
• ¼ cup butter (no substitutes)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 egg yolks , slightly beaten

Directions:

1. Combine flour and pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Cut in cheese and butter with a pastry blender till mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add walnuts and egg yolks.
4. Stir till combined.
5. Form mixture into ball, knead till mixture clings together.
6. Divide dough in half, shape each half into a log 9 inches long.
7. Wrap logs in blastic wrap, chill at least 2 hours.
8. Heat oven to 425 degrees.
9. Cut each log into 1/4 inch slices.
10. Place slices 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
11. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or till bottoms and edges are golden brown.
12. Transfer to wire racks.
13. Serve warm or at room temperature.
14. To make ahead, store tightly covered in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

Reviews

[Christine in Chicago]

Very good, and very different. Topped with the tart apple slices, as recommended, and they disappeared as quickly as I could bake them!

[Chef Girl RD]

This IS hard to form into a ball, but well worth the effort! It takes the heat from your hands to soften the butter and cheese enough to form the logs. I worked portions of the dough into individual balls, then joined those together into one ball. After forming & wrapping the logs, they stored well for several days in the freezer before I baked them. Terrific variation of Cheese Straws.

[jservs]

I couldn't get this to form into a ball. Seemed way too dry and I ended up adding more butter and even water to form into the ball. Haven't baked them yet, but way to frustrating to try again.