Cheese Pastry

This is the basic recipe for cheese pastry and also cheese straws. This pastry makes a superb quiche or savoury tart. You can use other cheeses if wished, but the texture and flavour will be different.

Ingredients
6oz plain flour
1/4 teaspoon English mustard powder
pinch cayenne pepper
3oz diced hard margarine at room temperature
3oz extra mature cheddar cheese
1 egg yolk
2 to 3 teaspoons water

Method
1 Place a sieve over a large mixing bowl.
2 Pour the flour, mustard powder and cayenne pepper into the sieve.
3 Tap the sieve to allow the contents to fall into the bowl.
4 Add the margarine.
5 Using only your fingertips, rub the margarine into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
6 Add the grated cheese.
7 Mix thoroughly.
8 Make a well.
9 Add the egg yolk.
10 Start to mix it into the mixture with a knife or your finger.
11 Gradually add sufficient water to make a firm dough that is not sticky.
12 Cover with cling film.
13 Place in the fridge and allow to rest for 20 to 30 minutes before use.

Note
This pastry can be frozen at -18 degrees centigrade for 2 months. To defrost either place in the fridge overnight or leave at room temperature for a couple of hours.