Jumbo cheese and ham straws

Ooh, if cheese straws weren't tasty enough, work in a few strips of savoury Parma ham to kick it up a level.


Makes 18
Prep time
Less then 30 minutes
Cooking time
10 to 30 minutes


  • 375g / 13oz ready-rolled puff pastry
  • 3 slices Parma ham, cut into strips
  • 100g / 3.5oz gorgonzola, crumbled
  • 1 tbsp celery seeds
  • 1 free-range egg, beaten



  2. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the puff pastry to a thin sheet.

  3. Lay the strips of Parma ham onto one half of the pastry, then sprinkle over the gorgonzola.

  4. Fold the pastry over the ham and gorgonzola, then roll out again to a thin sheet.

  5. Trim the edges of the filled pastry, brush all over with the beaten egg and sprinkle over the celery seeds.

  6. Cut the filled pastry into 1cm/?in strips.

  7. Twist the strips and transfer each to a baking tray. Press the ends of the pastry twists down to secure them to the tray and prevent them from unravelling.

  8. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden-brown. Set aside to cool slightly, then serve.