Fennel And Coarse Salt Breadsticks Recipes

Steps:

• In the large bowl of an electric mixer proof the yeast with 1/2 teaspoon of the sugar in 3/4 cup lukewarm water for 5 minutes, or until it is foamy. Add the remaining teaspoon sugar, 2 cups of the flour, the table salt, and the oil and beat the mixture with the dough hook until it is combined. Knead the dough, kneading in enough of the remaining 1 cup flour to make the dough form a ball, and knead the dough for 5 minutes, or until it is soft but not sticky. On a lightly floured surface let the dough rest, covered with a kitchen towel, for 15 minutes. Divide the dough into 12 pieces, working with 1 piece at a time and keeping the remaining pieces covered roll the dough between the palms of the hands to form 14-inch ropes, and arrange the ropes as they are formed 2 inches apart on baking sheets sprinkled lightly with the cornmeal. Let the breadsticks rise, covered loosely, in a warm place for 40 minutes, brush them lightly with the egg wash, and sprinkle them with the fennel seeds and the coarse salt. Bake the breadsticks in the middle of a preheated 45¿F. oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are pale golden, and let them cool on a rack for 10 minutes. The breadsticks may be made 1 day in advance and kept in an airtight container.

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.)