Semolina And Sesame Grissini Breadsticks Recipes

SEMOLINA AND SESAME GRISSINI (BREADSTICKS)

Steps:

• Place 1/4 cup warm water in a small bowl with the yeast and a pinch of sugar. Stir to dissolve and let stand to proof, 5-7 minutes. If it is not foamy by then, the yeast is dead; get new yeast and start again.
• Place semolina and all-purpose flours in work bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Add the salt, and 2 tbsp of sesame seeds. Mix briefly to combine.
• Make a well in the pile of flour and add the proofed yeast, the remaining water, and the olive oil. Start the mixer on low speed until everything comes together and starts to get smooth, about 2 minutes. Increase to medium and knead another 2-3 minutes, until it begins to look velvety and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead by hand until smooth and elastic (about 30 turns, about 1 minute). Grease a clean mixing bowl with olive oil and place the dough into it, turning the dough over to coat both sides.
• Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm, dark spot until it triples in volume, about 2 1/2 hours. (Alternatively, place dough in an oiled, airtight plastic container at least twice the size of the dough mass and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature before proceeding).
• Preheat oven to 400°F Coat 2 baking sheets each with 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp olive oil.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board. Cut dough in 6 equal pieces. Cover the unused pieces with a damp kitchen towel.
• Cut each piece into 4 or 5 equal pieces, each about the size of a medium walnut (3/4 to 1 ounce each). Using both hands, roll each piece against the board until it forms a 12 to 14 inch rope. Do not flour the board; the stickiness helps the dough stretch out.
• Place the rope on the baking sheet, rolling it to coat with oil. Spaced 1/2 inch apart, each sheet should hold 10 to 12 breadsticks.
• When all the breadsticks are made, coat with sesame seeds: pour the seeds into a long narrow pile, as long as the bread sticks and twice as wide. Starting with the first breadstick (which will be most relaxed and easiest to work with), roll each breadstick in the sesame seeds, coating well, then return it to the sheet pan. Sprinkle each with a bit of kosher salt and let rest 10 minutes.
• Bake 14-20 minutes. Halfway through, turn each sheet pan 180° in the oven, and swap racks, to ensure even browning. They are done when they are an even light golden brown (the ends may be a little darker). Cool completely on the baking sheets. Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

THIN & CRISPY SESAME SEED BREADSTICKS (GRISSINI)

Steps:

• In a two-cup measuring cup, dissolve the yeast in the water, add the honey and let stand for 5 minutes until frothy. In the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a hook, stir together 3½ cups of the flour and the salt. Add the yeast mixture and the olive oil to the flour mixture and process until the dough comes together in a ball. If the dough is too wet add the remaining ½ flour, one tablespoon at a time. The dough should feel smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a plastic wrap and let it rise for an hour.
• Preheat the oven to 400° F.
• Punch down the dough and cut it into two parts. Place one part in a re-sealable bag and refrigerate or freeze for future use. Turn out the second half of the dough onto a lightly - floured surface. Cut it in half and then cut the first half into 15-18 pieces. Working with one half at a time, and using your palms, roll out each piece and stretch it to form a very thin rope about 10" long.
• Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and sprinkle with some semolina flour.
• In a work surface, spread some sesame seeds and coarse sea salt and roll each of the "ropes" of dough on it, pressing gently until lightly coated with the seeds and the salt. Place them on the baking sheets and bake until crisp, for about 11-12 minutes. The longer you bake them the crunchier they become.
• The grissini can be stored at room temperature for a couple of days and in an airtight container at room temperature for a week, however, they will become softer if stored this way.

HOW TO MAKE EASY SEMOLINA BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• Lightly grease a metal 18" x 13" pan with two tablespoons of olive oil and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a bread hook, combine the two flours, yeast, salt, lukewarm water and two remaining tablespoons of olive oil. Process until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. The dough will be slightly sticky. Cover and let it rest for one hour.
• Scoop the batter into the greased pan and spread it nearly to the edges. If the dough is too sticky, oil your fingers - that will help. If the dough doesn't stretch easily, let it relax for a while before you try again.
• Using a pizza wheel, or a sharp knife, score the dough crosswise and lengthwise into strips, so as to make about 30 breadsticks (see photo below). These are rather big breadsticks; you can make them smaller, if you prefer. Once you are done with scoring, cover the pan and let the dough rise at room temperature for 45 minutes. The dough will become puffy.
• While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 375°F. Mince the fresh herbs finely and set them aside.
• Drizzle the dough lightly with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with the fresh herbs and the seasoning and place in the middle rack of the oven. Bake until the breadsticks are lightly golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven. Let it cool slightly and then cut the dough along the score lines. Place the bread sticks back in the baking pan, this time turn them on their sides (see photo). Return the pan to the oven, and bake for 5-6 minutes for soft bread sticks, or 10 minutes (for crispier bread sticks). Serve warm, or at room temperature with your favorite dip.