Almost famous breadsticks

Hubby and I are big fans of Olive Garden! We really like that place. There was a time when I just couldn’t eat pasta – I didn’t get it! Now my mouth starts to water as I think of yummy pasta. So when that changed love for Olive Garden re-ignited in our house (hubby had always liked it!). No wonder then that when I saw the recipe for these Almost famous breadsticks (which I think means Olive Garden’s breadsticks) on Food Network I was tempted to try them out. They turned out totally yummy!! I think this is going to become our go-to recipe for breadsticks! I made half the recipe and it yielded nice good sized 8 breadsticks!

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 1/2 package (or 1 1/8 tsp) active dry yeast
• 2 1/8 cups all-purpose flour,plus more for dusting
• 1 tablespoons unsalted butter,softened
• 1 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon fine salt
  

For the Topping:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter,melted
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch of dried oregano
  

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place 1/4 cup warm water in a bowl and add the yeast as well as sugar to it. Set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes.
3. To your food processor bowl, add the flour, butter, fine salt, the yeast mixture and 1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons warm water. Mix until a slightly sticky dough forms, 5 minutes.
4. Knead the dough by hand on a floured surface until very smooth and soft, 3 minutes.
5. Roll into a 2-foot-long log; cut into 8 1 1/2-inch-long pieces.
6. Knead each piece slightly and shape into a 7-inch-long breadstick; arrange 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a cloth; let rise in a warm spot until almost doubled, about 45 minutes.
7. Brush the breadsticks with 3/4 tablespoons of the butter and sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt.
8. Bake until lightly golden, about 15 minutes.
9. Meanwhile, combine the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt with the garlic powder and oregano. Brush the warm breadsticks with the remaining 3/4 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with the flavored salt.