Homemade breadsticks

 

One week from today I am going back to work after some deliciously long holidays. School  officially starts again on the 8th of September but we will have a week or so to prepare for their arrival. I don´t dread that school will resume again.( Ok, so I dread the thought of those endless staff meetings when I am struggling to stay awake but that is another story haha.)  I think a routine is a good thing and I quite like my job. I will be teaching English to third and fourth graders and I will have about 200 students. I have been looking back on what I have done during my holidays and I am quite proud of myself. I relaxed a lot, pursued my hobbies, discovered new recipes, celebrated my fourth wedding anniversary, visited my parents and went to France. It has been great.

4 years! Where has the time gone?

As I said, I discovered new recipes and this one was a gem. Sometimes I think I am being really annoying by exclaiming how ¨easy¨ the recipes that I am posting are but honestly, I don´t mean to sound that way. When something is hard or challenging, I say it. But if something is simple, I have to rave about it and share it. I do this especially to debunk the myth that cooking is hard or for people who have lots of time. Yes, when I made these, I happened to have lots of time but you don´t need it in order to try it. the results is wonderful and anything better that you buy in a shop!

You can enjoy these in various ways, with seeds such as poppy, sesame or you can be creative. They are also delicious plain and are perfect for dipping into a hummous. (I used some dried onion flakes but I don´t recommend using them. They have a tendency to burn). I have also seen them dipped in chocolate. I have yet to try that. I was thinking of using grated cheese too.

Ingredients: (For about 25 to 30 long breadsticks)

300 g bread flour

180 g water

15 g olive oil

6 g salt

6 g fresh yeast or 2 g dry yeast

Method

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl. form a nice, round dough. It will come together nicely, just be patient.
2. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes then place it in a bowl that has been lightly greased with sunflower oil.  Cover it with cling film and let it rest for an hour. (If you want to do this part one day ahead, just put it in the fridge at this point.)
3. Now cut the dough into small portions of equal sizes. You decide the size you want.
4. Now roll them into sticks. This is the fun part. Just think of when you played with play dough as a kid! You have already had lots of practice with this. Don´t make them too thick and try to make them even. These guys rise in the oven and you want them to bake evenly.

If you are using seeds etc,

Arrange a clean,damp tea towel on the counter. Make sure it is nice and flat. Then                  take a piece of parchment paper and place it next to it. Pour the seeds you are using                evenly over the parchment paper. Now take one of your sticks, roll it over the damp              tea towel and then roll it over the seeds. The seeds will stick easily.

5.  Now place the sticks on a baking tray that has been covered with parchment paper.               Put in the oven for about 2o minutes at 220 degrees until golden.

IMPORTANT:

Your baking time will vary depending on the length and width of your breadsticks. Keep an eye on them and make a note of the baking times for future use!

Enjoy! xxxx Natascha