Breadsticks with sesame

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 225 g flour (not too fine)
• 1 tsp salt
• 7 g yeast (dry yeast)
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Working time approx. 30 minutes; Rest time approx. 1 hour; Total time approx. 1 hour 30 minutes

Sift the flour, mix in the salt, yeast, and sesame seeds. Make a well in the center, add the olive oil and a little warm water, and knead into a firm dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until elastic. Brush the outside of the dough ball with a little oil and leave it in a clean bowl under a cloth in a warm place (e.g., oven on the lowest setting, provided it is below 50°C) for 40 minutes. It should have roughly doubled in size. Punch down the dough and knead lightly until it is smooth again. Scoop small balls of dough and form them into thin sticks about 25cm long on a lightly floured surface. Bake the breadsticks on a baking tray in an oven preheated to 230°C (gas mark 8) for 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Allow to cool on a wire rack. The baked sticks can be stored in an airtight container for about 1-2 days. You can also vary the breadsticks wonderfully with other seeds (e.g., fennel or poppy seeds) or with finely grated Parmesan cheese. The quantities for 4 people yield approximately 30 breadsticks.