Cheese and Parsley Breadsticks
Ingredients:
- 1 ⅝ cups all-purpose flour
- 7g (1 packet) dry yeast
- 3g (about 1/2 tsp) salt
- 180ml hot milk
- 45g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 125g grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice)
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Additional softened butter for brushing
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
Preparation:
- Mix the Dough:
- In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Make a well in the center.
- Add the dry yeast to the well.
- Pour the hot milk into the well, followed by the softened butter and the whole egg.
- Whisk the liquids together to combine, then gradually incorporate the flour from the sides of the well.
- Knead the Dough:
- Once the mixture starts forming lumps, use your hands to knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
- Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a small bowl, mix the grated cheese and chopped parsley.
- Shape the Dough:
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into quarters.
- Roll each quarter into a ball and then roll out each ball into a rectangular shape.
- Assemble the Breadsticks:
- Brush two of the rectangles with softened butter.
- Sprinkle the cheese and parsley mixture evenly over the buttered rectangles.
- Place the other two rectangles on top, pressing gently to adhere.
- Roll lightly with a rolling pin to seal the layers together.
- Cut and Prepare for Baking:
- Cut the layered dough into strips, about 1-inch wide.
- Pair the strips together, placing a bit more softened butter between each pair.
- Twist the pairs slightly and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Final Rise:
- Cover the twisted strips and let them rest for 20 minutes.
- Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Beat the egg yolk with a little water to create an egg wash. Brush the top of the breadsticks with the egg wash.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until the breadsticks are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve:
- Remove the breadsticks from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm!
These cheese and parsley breadsticks are perfect as a snack or a side dish for your favorite meal. The combination of buttery layers, melted cheese, and fresh parsley makes them irresistible!