My kids have a fascination with “cheese biscuits” and it makes a nice change from making cookies all the time. This recipe works well …

Cheese Shapes – Makes 20 (depending on size)

Set oven to 200C/400F or Gas Mark 6

1. Sieve the flour into a  big bowl and add the cayenne pepper
2. Cut the butter into small cubes with a blunt knife. Rub the pieces into the flour so that it looks like breadcrumbs.
3. Grate the cheese and stir it into butter and flour.
4. Add the egg yolk and enough water to make stiff dough.
5. Knead until the dough is smooth.
6. On a lightly floured table roll the dough until it is 1cm thick.
7. Cut into shapes with a cutter or a knife.
8. Carefully place the shapes onto a baking tray. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

Leave to cool on a wire rack.

Crostini

Mash an avocado, add 2 spoons of sour cream, some diced red onion and some coriander and spread it on crostini which is bread sliced and dried out in the oven.  

Apple Cheese Appetisers

Slice up a loaf of baguette bread, fairly thin

Top each piece of bread with carmelized onions, thin slice of apple and slice of brie cheese

Bake in oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese

Mini Pizza recipe.

Pastry  - 1 cup plain flour, 2oz/60g grated cheese(finely grated) 2oz/60g butter 1 egg yolk 1 tablespoon cold water. Rub butter into flour, add cheese, egg and water to make dough.

Roll out and cut into 5cm/2" rounds.

Place a slice of tomato on each, top with some grated cheese and sprinkle on a pinch of mixed herbs   Bake in moderate oven 10-15 mins.

They freeze quite well and this recipe makes about 25