Recipe: Homemade Grissini (Italian Breadsticks)

HOMEMADE GRISSINI (ITALIAN BREADSTICKS)

1 cup of milk
2 envelopes active dry yeast (4 teaspoons)
1 tablespoon sugar
3 cups bread flour, plus more for kneading and rolling
6 tablespoons softened butter
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional
Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

In a medium saucepan, warm the milk (no hotter than 115 degrees F). Add yeast and sugar and let stand until slightly foamy, 5 minutes.

Pour milk into a large bowl. Add bread flour, butter, salt, olive oil and stir until stiff, raggy dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, 5 minutes.

Lightly oil the bowl and return the dough to it, turning to coat with oil. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest for 1 hour or until doubled in volume.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Place dough on lightly floured work surface and press down. Cut dough into 5 pieces.

Roll each piece of dough into a 10-inch square. Brush lightly with olive oil; sprinkle with coarse salt. Using a pizza cutter, cut dough into 1/3-inch strips.

Bake for 12 minutes, until golden and crisp, shifting pans top to bottom and front to back for even browning. Repeat. Cool completely.

Makes 8 to 10 servings
Source: Marty Meitus, Rocky Mountain News, April 17, 2007