Cooking Lesson #622: Homemade Garlic Breadsticks

…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen

How you doin’? Do you remember the days before everyone went crazy for low-carb foods when bread of some kind was on every table as a meal starter?
 
Actually, there was a good reason to get something into the stomachs of every guest. When your blood sugar is low you feel hunger pangs. People get short tempered and people with a few drinks in them can get downright nasty when they’re hungry. A bowl of tortilla chips, Asian noodles or a breadstick or two, creates a little forgiveness, buys some time and keeps people reasonable until the server can get to the table to take an order. In these times when so many restaurants are running short-staffed, many restaurants would do well to remember this secret.
 
Let’s bring this custom back with my Homemade Garlic Breadsticks (or turn them into tied garlic bread knots). You’ll find they’re delicious and goes perfectly with a bowl of pasta and soup!
 
Prep time:  20 minutes
Proof times:  40 minutes (first proof) / 25 minutes (second proof)
Bake time:  10 to 12 minutes
Cool time:  10 minutes
Yield:  18 breadsticks
 
Ingredients 
1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water, divided
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, or more if needed
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more to coat the pan
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 teaspoon chopped dried parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
 
Directions

1. Dissolve 1-1/2 teaspoons of sugar and the yeast in 1/2 cup warm (no higher than 109⁰ F) water in a bowl.
2. Let the yeast mixture stand until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
3. Mix the 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.
4. Turn the dough onto a floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes. (Personally, I prefer to use the dough hook on my Kitchen Aid mixer.)
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to cover completely with oil.
6. Cover the bowl with a damp dish towel and place in a warm place in the kitchen until dough is doubled in size, about 40 minutes.
7. Using vegetable oil, lightly coat a sheet pan.
8. Punch the dough down and turn onto a floured work surface.
9. Divide the dough into 18 pieces and shape each into a 6-inch rope.
10. Arrange the dough pieces on the prepared oiled baking sheet pan; about 2 inches apart.
11. Cover with a damp dish towel and let rise until doubled in size; about 25 minutes.
12. Preheat an oven to 400⁰ F.
13. Remove the towel from the rolled dough.
14. Bake the breadsticks in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
15. Whisk the melted butter and garlic powder together in a bowl, brush over each breadstick.
16. Sprinkle salt, parsley and Parmesan cheese over each breadstick.

ChefSecret:  When proofing the dough, I turn the oven on warm and put the bowl with towel-covered dough in the oven with the door slightly ajar to let it rise.

Quip of the Day:  When he was young, Bob decided to go to medical school. At the entrance exam, the candidates were asked to rearrange the letters P N E I S and form the name of an important human body part which is most useful when erect. Those who answered SPINE are doctors today, while the rest are on Facebook.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your favorite recipes, pictures or thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. Recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross.

#Baking #Appetizers #Breadsticks #HomemadeBreadsticks #GarlicBreadsticks #DoughKnots #2023Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  

​                                                                                   ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023

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