Breadsticks - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 1/4 to 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup warm water, 120 to 130~
2 Tbsp. olive oil or cooking oil
1 Tbsp. sugar or honey
1 egg yolk
1 egg white
sesame seed, poppy seed or grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Preparation

In a large mixing bowl, stir together 1 cup of the flour, the yeast and salt. In another bowl, combine warm water, oil, sugar and egg yolk. Add water mixture to dry mixture. Beat on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping the sides of bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much remaining flour as you can. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise until nearly double in size. About one hour. Punch dough down. Cover, let rest for ten minutes. Grease a baking sheet. Divide dough in half. Divide each portion into 8 pieces. On a floured surface, roll each piece into a 12 inch long rope for thin, crispy sticks or into 6 to 8 inch long rope for thick chewy sticks. Place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rise until nearly double. About 45 minutes. Beat together egg white and 1 Tbsp. water until frothy. Brush over bread sticks. If desired sprinkle with seeds or cheese. Bake in a 425\u00b0 oven about 10 minutes or until golden. Remove from sheet and cool on wire rack. Makes 16 sticks.