Classic Quick Sticks Recipes

Steps:

• Make dough using your favorite method- bread machine, mixer or by hand.
• Roll out into a 10x12 inch rectangle.
• Cut into strips about 3/4 inch wide.
• Give each strip a twist and place on a greased cookie sheet.
• Let rise for at least 20 minutes or more if you have time.
• Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes.
• Brush with butter and sprinkle with garlic salt and parmesan cheese.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse flour, salt, and baking powder to combine. Add shortening, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. With the machine running, gradually add between 1/2 and 3/4 cup ice water until dough comes together, about 1 minute.
• Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Form dough into a smooth rectangle, about 4 by 6 inches, with your fingers. Then roll out dough into an 8-by-10-inch sheet, 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide strips.
• Using your hands, gently roll each strip back and forth into 16-inch-long sticks. For the twisted version, grab each end of dough strip with your fingers, and carefully stretch and twist strip in opposite directions. Arrange sticks on two baking sheets, side by side but not touching. If salting, brush each stick lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Press the ends onto the baking sheet to keep sticks straight while they cook. Bake until firm and cooked through, 14 to 18 minutes. Transfer sticks to a wire rack to cool.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse flour, salt, and baking powder to combine. Add shortening, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. With the machine running, gradually add between 1/2 and 3/4 cup ice water until dough comes together, about 1 minute.
• Transfer dough to a very lightly floured work surface. Shape dough into a smooth rectangle, about 4 by 6 inches. Roll out dough to an 8-by-10-inch sheet, 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough lengthwise into 1/8-inch-wide strips.
• Using your hands, gently roll each strip back and forth into 16-inch-long sticks. For a twisted version, grab each end of the dough, strip with your fingers and carefully stretch and twist the strip in opposite directions. Arrange the sticks on 2 baking sheets, side by side but not touching. If salting, brush each stick lightly with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. Press ends onto baking sheet to keep sticks straight while they bake. Bake until firm and cooked through, 14 to 18 minutes. Transfer sticks to a wire rack to cool.

Steps:

• Measure your flour, salt, garlic powder, parsley, and baking powder into a big bowl. Stir the dry ingredients together so that they are evenly distributed throughout the flour. Now, pour in the milk. Stir with a big spoon until you have a ball of dough that leaves the sides of the bowl. You may have to dust the ball of dough with a little flour if it seems sticky to you. Gently knead the ball of dough right there in the bowl 5 or 6 times. Now place your dough on the counter. You may use a piece of waxed paper under the dough if you like. Using a rolling pin roll out the dough to a rectangular shape. If the edges become uneven, use your hands to reshape into a rectangle. It doesn't have to be perfect. You are aiming for a rectangle that will fi into a 9- by 13-inch pan. When you get the dough the right size, set it aside.
• Meanwhile, place the margarine in the 9- by 13-inch pan and place the pan in a 425F oven to melt the margarine. When the margarine is melted, carefully remove the pan from the oven, so as not to burn yourself. Sprinkle the second teaspoon of garlic powder and the 1/2 teaspoon of salt into the pan. You do not have to use the extra salt. Now, very carefully, lay your rectangle of dough into the pan, over top of the margarine. Next cut the rectangle into narrow strips. One method of doing this is to cut the dough in half, then cut each half again, quartering the dough, and then cut each quarter into narrow strips. The margarine will creep up between the strips. This is normal. It is what gives these bread sticks their texture. After cutting your strips, place the pan in the oven, still at 425F, and bake them for 20 minutes. They will be browned and crispy when they are done.
• The parsley is simply for decoration. It makes the bread sticks look more gourmet, but it adds little to the flavor or the texture. Leave it out if you don't have any, or are running low. If desired, you may sprinkle the bread sticks with a little bit of parmesan cheese before or after baking. This tastes good, but once again, is optional.

Steps:

• To make any of these flavored quick sticks, add the juice and listed amount of water in place of the 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water in step 1 of Classic Quick Breadsticks and proceed with the recipe.
• Combine carrot juice with 1/4 cup cold water.
• Dissolve tomato paste in 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water.
• Combine beet juice with 1/2 cup cold water.