Breadsticks

I have been honing my bread-making skills for over a year now and am just now starting to get things right. I have found that the key is in proofing the yeast. If that goes well, everything else is just infinitely easier. I didn’t have too many tools to work with today, so I decided to attempt some fresh breadsticks. I based them off of the recipe from Naturally Ella.

Lovely, tasty breadsticks.

They were pretty simple. Proof a packet of yeast in warm water and sugar until it gets nice and bubbleh. Add the oil and start stirring in the flour a half-cup at a time. I have cut out the salt for this bread because the sweet bread is a nice contrast to the salty garlicy topping. knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until it’s smooth, then let it rise in a moist, warm place. I prefer to microwave a bowl of water for a minute or two in the microwave and let my dough sit in there.

Once the dough has at least doubled in volume (mine went a little over because I went to rehearsal during the rise), punch it down and slice it into 1.5″ sections or smaller; any larger and they become unwieldy. Let these rise another 30 minutes while the oven preheats.

The bread dough, second rise.

Pop the breadsticks into the oven and let them bake until they are golden brown. This does NOT take very long, so don’t go far. While they are baking, pop a tablespoon of butter into the microwave and melt it down. Add about a teaspoon of garlic salt to taste. Once the breadsticks are nice and toasty, brush the butter onto the tops and sprinkle more garlic salt on if you wish.

Fresh out of the oven.

Buttered, Garlicked, Salted, and ready to eat! Which we did shortly thereafter.

These turned out fantastically! Super soft and fluffy, sweet… Loved em. And so did all the guys who ate them within the hour as they trickled in from classes. Thanks to Mike Glatzer (www.facebook.com/mikeglatzerphotography) for the gallery photos!

In the pan

It's amazing how clear and bright photos can be when taken with a legitimate camera...

Lovely dimensions and shadows

Ooh look! I found a breadstick!

I love this shot.

I love this shot too.

Let's be honest, I love all of these.

Great detail on this one.

In case you missed it, tomorrow is our first Free Food day! If you are on campus, come celebrate your free Almond Macaron in the Student Center If you can’t join us, at least join the Facebook page! Just click the Facebook icon in the sidebar. You will be loved forever if you do!

Quick Recipe (adapted from Naturally Ella)

1pk active dry yeast
3/4c warm water
1/4c granulated sugar
2tbsp canola oil
1.5-2c flour
1tbsp butter
garlic salt to taste

Proof yeast in warm water and sugar. Add oil and gradually mix in flour. Knead 5-10 min until smooth. Rise until doubled in volume ~1-2hr. Punch down and slice lengthwise in 1-1.5″ sections, then rise again for 30 min. Preheat oven to 500ºF.

Bake breadsticks 8-12 minutes until golden brown. Melt butter and add ~1tbsp garlic salt. Brush over breadsticks and sprinkle extra garlic salt on top if desired. Serve warm.