Friday, October 8, 2010

Italian Breadsticks/Grissini

We have been talking a lot about fall and 'IT' is here! We hope all of you living in America are enjoying the beautiful fall colors, and the cool weather. The leaves look so pretty, but the wind is blowing them off so quickly that I hate it. Soon the trees will be all bare, and the snow will cover them. I don't even want to think about that right now. For the time being, let's talk about warm, toasty Italian bread sticks.

The Italian bread sticks (aka Grissini) originated in Turin, Italy according to Wikipedia. They are usually served as an appetizer in restaurants. I don't mind them having any time , either as a snack, or with a cup of coffee.

I didn't have the patience to make them into perfect ropes, but they still look pretty !

Italian Breadsticks

They could be served as an appetizer with a soup of your choice or enjoy them with a cuppa/ as it is :-)

Italian Breadsticks

Here is a glimpse from my kitchen.Hope this gives you an idea about rolling, cutting and making the sticks !

Italian breadsticks

Ingredients:

All purpose Flour- 2 to 21/4 cups
Salt- 11/2 tsp
Olive oil- 2 Tbsp
Active Dry yeast- 2 1/4 tsp/one packet
Sugar- 1 Tbsp(divided)
Mixed dried Herbs(I used a mixture of oregano, marjarom, basil and parsley)- 2 tsp
Milk- 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp for brushing
Warm water- 1/4 cup

Method:

1.Mix half of the sugar and yeast in the warm water and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
2.In a large mixing bowl, combine flour(start with 2 cups),salt,rest of the sugar,dried herbs and olive oil.
3.Make a well in the middle and add the milk and the yeast mixture.Mix everything well.
4.Knead the dough for a few minutes using your stand mixer or hands.Add more flour,if necessary to make a smooth dough.
5.After kneading for another 4-5 minutes, shape the dough into a ball,cover and keep it for an hour in a warm place so that it will double in size.
6.After the dough becomes double,divide the dough into 4 equal parts.
7.Preheat the oven at 425 degree F.  Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper that is slightly greased.
8.Roll out each part of the dough into a 12 inch long and 4-5 inch wide rectangle.
9.Divide this rectangle into 4 equal parts and roll up it lengthwise to make a stick.
10.Keep it on the greased parchment paper and let sit covered for 10-15 minutes. Brush with milk or with slightly beaten egg.
11.Bake for about 15 minutes or until it starts turning golden brown.
12.Cool on a wire rack and enjoy with a cuppa.


Italian Breadsticks

Notes:

1.Instead of adding the dried herbs in the dough, you could use them to make a topping for this bread sticks.After brushing with milk just sprinkle them on top.
2.You could also use sesame seeds to sprinkle on top.
3.The egg wash gives a nicer and better color for the bread sticks, but I prefer to use milk/oil.
4.This makes 16 bread sticks.

Inspired by: Home made breads by Better Homes and Gardens, 1960 edition
Contributor: Namitha

40 comments:

  1. They already are perfect, Namitha! wonderful clicks.

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  2. They just look pefect, i love them , ùy hobby is eating them even before the soup arrives, and my hubby is always saying why you want to fill you up with it. But i love to crunch on them :-)

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  3. Bread sticks look so crunchy and inviting that I can easily eat half a dozen. Simply superb.


    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  4. wow................nice clicks dear..............

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  5. i served this 2 weeks back as an appetiser with a spicy dip:)
    but i dint make my own, i used store bough :)
    love the 1st pic

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  6. Great looking breadsticks. YUM!

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  7. the only thing i love in Italian, mind blowing pics tto nami

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  8. Crunchy breadsticks look yummy

    Pushpa @ simplehomefood.com

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  9. Crunchy and beautiful looking awesome breadsticks..

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  10. Very nice clicks and a great recipe

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  11. So perfect,looking great..crispy and yummy

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  12. Superb clicks.Looks crispy & perfect.

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  13. They look like store bought..perfect color and look!

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  14. Homemade breadsticks..yum! They look so good. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Will definitely try these. Great instruction too!

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  15. Hi Namitha, love to have some of the breadsticks for my breakie now! Nice clicks ya! :D

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  16. Namitha,

    Bread sticks looks awesome.

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  17. I love to have them with garlic sauce.yummy.Perfect aayittundu Nami.

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  18. Wonderful snaps...I am going to learn the tricks of taking snaps form you....

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  19. Wow.. they look so good and perfect :) wish I could have some now.. will try to make them soon :)

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  20. Complimenti sono deliziosi e ben fatti, ciao

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  21. I wouldnt mind with my tea.. .now :)
    perfectoooo

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  22. perfect sticks i love to have this with hot tomato soup. beautiful clicks

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  23. These look really pretty! I've always wanted to make grissini- they look really fun to make! And the look like a really good snack too!

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  24. beautiful and perfect! love the snaps :) it's an altime munch works well with almost anything :)
    TC

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  25. Kidulam!! perfectly done nami..Lovely presentation with yummy picture!!

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  26. They look perfect, Nami..Ennelum ethu try cheyyanamenne vicharichirikkuvarunnu...Lovely pics!!

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  27. loving ur first click, fantastic appetizer

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  28. I made something similar recently!!! looks so yummy...nice clicks...

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