Fennel And Coarse Salt Breadsticks Recipes

SOFT BREADSTICKS WITH FENNEL SEEDS

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer proof the yeast with the sugar in 1/4 cup lukewarm water for 5 minutes, or until it is foamy. With the paddle attachment beat in 1 cup warm water, 3 cups of the flour, the salt, the fennel seeds, and the pepper and beat the dough until it is smooth. With the dough hook of the electric mixer or by hand knead the dough, kneading in enough of the remaining 1/2 cup flour to form a smooth, elastic dough, for 10 minutes. Form the dough into a ball, put it in a well-buttered large bowl, turning it to coat it with the butter, and let it rise, covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it is double in bulk. Punch down the dough and, working with one small piece of dough at a time, form it into 1/4-inch-thick ropes, each about 8 inches long. Arrange the ropes on buttered baking sheets, brush them lightly with the egg wash, and bake them in batches in the upper third of a preheated 450°F. oven for 15 minutes, or until they are golden. The breadsticks may be made 1 day in advance and kept in an airtight container. Reheat the breadsticks, wrapped in foil, before serving.

ONION-FENNEL BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• Heat heavy medium skillet over high heat. Add fennel seeds and stir until just golden brown and aromatic, about 1 minute. Transfer fennel seeds to large bowl. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced onion to same skillet. Sauté until onion is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Add 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar and salt to fennel seeds in large bowl. Stir in hot water and onion mixture. Mix in enough of remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, to form soft dough. Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if dough is sticky, about 8 minutes.
• Form dough into ball. Place on lightly floured surface. Cover with towel. Let dough stand 10 minutes.
• Dust 4 cookie sheets with flour. Divide dough in half. Roll each half out on floured surface to 12-inch square. Dust well with flour. Fold each square in thirds and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Unfold strips. Let dough rest 5 minutes. Stretch each strip to 14 inches. Place strips 1/2 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets. Let breadsticks rest 10 minutes.
• Brush breadsticks lightly with water. Sprinkle lightly with coarse salt. Bake breadsticks until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool 15 minutes.
• Reduce oven temperature to 300°F. Return breadsticks to oven and bake until crisp, about 12 minutes. Cool completely. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Store in airtight container.)