Breadstick Broomsticks Food

PARMESAN BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• Combine 3/4 cup warm water (105 degrees F to 110 degrees F) and the sugar in a food processor. Sprinkle the yeast on the surface and set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the olive oil and pulse once. Add the flour and salt; pulse to form a smooth dough, about 2 minutes. Brush a large bowl with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl and form into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Lay out a large sheet of parchment paper and brush with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the parchment and pat into a 6-by-12-inch rectangle. Brush the dough lightly with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside 10 minutes. (At this point, you can refrigerate the dough, covered, up to 12 hours.)
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment; brush with olive oil. Cut the dough in half crosswise with a chef's knife or pizza cutter to make two 6-inch squares. Cut each half into 10 equal pieces.
• On a lightly floured surface, stretch and roll each piece of dough with your hands into a thin 12-to-14-inch-long rope. Transfer the ropes to the prepared baking sheets, arranging them about 1/2 inch apart.
• Whisk the egg white with 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Brush the breadsticks lightly with the egg wash, then sprinkle with parmesan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; set aside 10 minutes.
• Uncover the breadsticks and bake until golden and crisp, about 30 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through. Slide off the baking sheets and let cool on racks. (The breadsticks will crisp up as they cool; if they are still flexible, bake about 7 more minutes.) Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.

WITCH FINGER BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• Whisk the oil, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
• Lightly flour a work surface and divide the dough into 10 equal portions with a bench scraper or chef's knife. Roll each portion into a 10-inch rope. Twist each rope in the middle and arrange on the prepared baking sheets. (Each twist will look like a gnarly witch knuckle.)
• Brush the breadsticks with the seasoned oil and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Firmly press an olive half on the end of each breadstick to stick to the dough. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with warm marinara sauce.

CRISPY BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon each fennel seeds, poppy seeds and sesame seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Roll out an 11-ounce package refrigerated breadstick dough into a 16-by-8-inch rectangle. Cut into twelve 16-inch strips and twist into breadsticks. Brush with the oil mixture. Place on 2 parchment-lined baking sheets and bake in a 400 degrees F oven until golden, about 12 minutes.

ALMOST-FAMOUS BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• Make the dough: Place 1/4 cup warm water in the bowl of a mixer; sprinkle in the yeast and set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the flour, butter, sugar, fine salt and 1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons warm water; mix with the paddle attachment until a slightly sticky dough forms, 5 minutes.
• Knead the dough by hand on a floured surface until very smooth and soft, 3 minutes. Roll into a 2-foot-long log; cut into 16 1 1/2-inch-long pieces. Knead each piece slightly and shape into a 7-inch-long breadstick; arrange 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a cloth; let rise in a warm spot until almost doubled, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Make the topping: Brush the breadsticks with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Bake until lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt with the garlic powder and oregano. Brush the warm breadsticks with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with the flavored salt.

BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• Dissolve 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar and yeast in 1/2 cup warm water in a bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
• Beat flour, oil, egg, salt, remaining sugar, and remaining warm water into yeast mixture until smooth, adding more flour if needed to form a soft dough. Turn dough onto a floured work surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to cover completely with oil. Cover bowl with a damp towel and place in a warm area until dough is doubled in size, about 40 minutes.
• Grease a baking sheet.
• Punch dough down and turn onto a floured work surface. Divide dough into 18 pieces and shape each into a 6-inch rope. Arrange dough pieces on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart; cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 25 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Remove cover from dough.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Whisk butter and garlic salt together in a bowl; brush over each breadstick. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over each.

BREADSTICKS IN BLANKETS

Steps:

• Lay a slice of ham on a board. Place one end of a breadstick and a few sprigs of rocket or watercress on top, and roll up in the ham, leaving the bottom end of the breadstick exposed - the leaves should peek out the top. Arrange on a serving platter. Make up to half an hour ahead: keep covered with cling film in the fridge.