Cheese and walnut sable biscuits

Everyone loves cheese straws, but anyone who knows how to cook knows how easy they are to make, which renders them fairly unimpressive as a canape. They're also not widely seen as being traditionally French. Which is why, when called upon to make some inventive yet simple canapes for a cocktail party, my daughter went on the hunt for a version that could be described- however loosely - as Perigord inspired. Within minutes, she'd found the below recipe for cheese and walnut sable biscuits, and an hour later she'd cooked her first batch. 

60g plain flour
60g self raising flour
1/4 tsp chili powder or 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or both if you like a real kick)
60g butter
175g grated cheese (something from the Perigord is obviously best, but use what you have)
75g finely chopped walnuts
2 -3 tbsps beer or milk
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Sift the flours, salt, pepper & chillies into a bowl together & mix.
2. Rub in the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Add the cheese & walnuts - mix well.
4. Add the beer or milk - mix into a dough.
5. Chill for 30 minutes.
6. Roll out on a floured board and cut into small rounds.
7. Place on a greased baking tray and bake in pre-heated oven 180C/360F for about 15 minutes or until golden brown & crisp.
8. Sprinkle with seasoning salt or cayenne pepper if you wish.
9. Cool on a wire rack and store in airtight tins.

Recipe via www.food.com.