Not Knots Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, salt and 2 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Beat in egg and shortening. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (do not knead). Cover and refrigerate overnight., Punch dough down and divide into 4 portions; roll each portion into a 14x12-in. rectangle. Spread 2 tablespoons butter over dough. Fold in half lengthwise; cut into 12 strips. Tie each strip into a knot; tuck and pinch ends under. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. , Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Bake at 400° until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool.

Steps:

• For the Caesar dressing: Add the mayo, anchovy paste, Dijon, Worcestershire, garlic, lemon zest and juice to a food processor. Pulse together, then add the egg yolks and blend.
• With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to ensure the dressing is emulsified. Add the Parmesan, salt and pepper and blend again.
• For the salad: Wash and dry the hearts of romaine. Slice them across in 1-inch pieces and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle about half of the dressing over.
• Use a vegetable peeler to shave off a handful of large, thin slices of Parmesan. Add them to the lettuce.
• Give it a good initial toss, just so you can evaluate how much more dressing you need. Add more dressing and Parmesan to taste.
• Tip onto a serving platter.
• Place the Not-Knots on top and shave over more Parmesan.
• For the foolproof pizza dough: Sprinkle the yeast over 1 1/2 cups of warm (not lukewarm) water. Let stand for a few minutes.
• Combine the flour and salt in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on low speed and drizzle in the oil until combined with the flour. Next, pour in the yeast mixture and mix until just combined and the dough comes together in a sticky mass.
• Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil and form the dough into a ball. Toss to coat the dough in the oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set it aside for at least 1 or up to 2 hours at room temperature, or store in the fridge until you need it, up to 4 days ahead. Bring the refrigerated dough to room temperature before using.
• For the garlic butter: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat, then add the garlic and salt. Cook for a couple of minutes to release the flavor, but don't let the garlic brown.
• For the not-knots: Grease a baking sheet with olive oil. Pinch off balls of the dough about 1 inch in diameter and roll into round balls, then place the balls on the oiled baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, combine the garlic butter and Parmesan in a pan and stir together over medium-low heat until melted. Pour into a metal bowl large enough to toss the balls in.
• Heat a deep pan of oil to 350 degrees F and fry the balls, stirring them so they cook evenly, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the balls from the pan, then put them in the bowl with the Parmesan garlic butter and toss to coat them thoroughly.