Cheese Straws

It's my birthday in a few weeks and my friend Jas and I are planning a little soiree to celebrate. Not being the most experienced hostess, I have been trawling the interwebs to find some easy and delicious party food.

This one is taken from one of my favourite cooking blogs Smitten Kitchen:

Cheese Straws
1 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons butter, softened and cut into 4 pieces
3/4 cup flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon salt (I used pink rock salt - mmmm)
1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes
1 tablespoon milk

1. Preheat oven to 175°C.
2. In a food processor, combine the cheese, butter, flour, salt and red pepper in five 5-second pulses until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the half-and-half and process until the dough forms a ball, about 10 seconds.
3. On a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough into an 8- by 10-inch rectangle that is 1/8-inch thick. With a sharp knife cut the dough into strips and transfer the strips to a lined tray. 
4. Bake the straws on the middle rack for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the ends are barely browned. Remove from the oven and set the cookie sheet on a rack to cool.
5. Serve at room temperature. 

In addition to the cheese straws, we're going to be doing potato crostini, samosas (Jas's famous family recipe which she may share some time), fried rice in silver noodle boxes, watermelon salad and an icecream bar!