Homemade Garlic Breadsticks

Ingredients

• 2 cups bread flour (bread flour is ideal, but AP flour is fine too)
• ½ cup flour extra (just in case)
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 1/2 tsp yeast (active dry)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp thyme
• 4 cloves of garlic chopped finely and made into a paste
• 1/3 cup of shredded cheese (mix of mozzarella and cheddar)
• Extra oil/melted butter and flour

Steps

1. 1

   In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of flour, salt and thyme.

2. 2

   In a small bowl, dissolve the honey in water and sprinkle the yeast over the water. Wait a few minutes until the yeast mix produces a few bubbles.

3. 3

   Add the yeast mix into the flour and mix with a wooden spoon until well combined.

4. 4

   The dough should come together but still be sticky. If it's too sticky, add a little flour and mix it in.There's no need to knead the dough.

5. 5

   Transfer to a bowl and let it rise at room temperature until it doubles in size. (edit : this should take about 1 hour)

6. 6

   Turn the dough out onto an oiled work surface. Press the dough out to a rectangle approximately 12x 20 inches.

7. 7

   Brush some melted butter or oil on the surface of the dough and spread the chopped garlic on top. Sprinkle the cheese on top as well.

8. 8

   Fold the bread over twice and shape the dough into a ball. Brush oil over the dough and return to the bowl for a second rise. Approximately 30 minutes - it does not need to double in size at this stage.

9. 9

   Turn the dough out onto a work surface and press it out till the length is approximately 12 inches (to be able to cut 12 bread sticks) by 10 inches and 1 inch in height.

10. 10

    Use a sharp oiled knife / dough cutter or pizza wheel to cut 12 long bread sticks.

11. 11

    Place these cut side up on parchment paper (about 1 inch apart) and sprinkle some salt flakes on top.

12. 12

    Bake in a preheated oven (350 F) for about 20 - 30 minutes until the bread sticks turn a light golden colour. If you prefer them crispier, leave them in a bit longer (I like it chewy and soft - like garlic bread).

13. 13

    Brush each bread stick with melted butter or oil as soon as they come out of the oven.