Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Lisa's Breadsticks (and Pizza Dough)

Recipe Courtesy of: Kate's (OBB) friend, Lisa

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 c. warm (105-115 degrees) water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. yeast
1/2 tsp. salt
3-4 1/2 c. flour

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl (the bowl of your mixer, if you have one), combine water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes or until yeast is bubbly.

Add salt and stir. Add 1 1/2 c. flour and mix well. Gradually add more flour (usually between 3-4 cups, depending on your elevation and your humidity) until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and it barely sticks to your finger.

Spray a glass or metal bowl with cooking spray and place dough in the bowl.

Cover and allow to rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

For Breadsticks:

Remove from bowl and place on a lightly-floured surface. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Roll into a rectangle and cut into 12 strips with a pizza cutter.

Roll out each piece of dough into a snake and then drape over your forefinger and twist the dough. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining 11 pieces of dough. Try to space them evenly.

Cover pan and allow dough to rise for another 30 minutes.

When there's about 15 minutes to go, preheat your oven to 425. When done rising, bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Rub some butter on top of the breadsticks (just put a ziploc bag on your hand, grab some softened butter, and have at it) and sprinkle with powdery Parmesan cheese and garlic salt.

For Pizza Dough:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. While oven is heating, punch down dough and shape into a disc. Spray your work surface, rolling pin, and pizza stone (or pan) with non-stick cooking spray. Place dough disc onto work surface. Roll and shape into a circle. Very gently transfer the dough onto your pizza stone and continue to shape up to the edges of the stone.

Using a fork, prick several holes in the crust. Drizzle crust with a little olive oil...and brush all the way up to the edges. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Both oiling and garlic salting the crust help crisp it up, give it a great flavor, and keep it from getting soggy in the middle.

Bake crust in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven.

Top with sauce, toppings, and cheese and bake for another 10-12 minutes.

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