Pao de Quejo, Cheese Puff thingies

Cassava starch = yuca flour = manioc flour = tapioca flour. If you cannot find it, process pearl tapioca in the food processor until it is ground to flour.

1. 2 cup grated cheese — something on the dryish side
2. 1 cup cassava starch, preferably sour
3. 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
4. 1 tsp salt or to taste
5. cayenne to taste, if desired
6. 12 eggs
7. Butter for the baking sheet

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Put the cheese, starch, baking powder, salt, and cayenne (if using) in the bowl of a food processor, with the steel blade. Process just to mix and combine cheese into other ingredients. Add the egg(s) and process until the dough forms a ball and rolls around in the bowl (3 minutes?). Roll pieces of about 1 tablespoon into balls. Space out on butter baking sheet or on a parchment-covered sheet (if cheese has relatively high fat content). Baked until golden and puffed, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot. Makes about 3 dozen pieces Submitted by: Suzanne F