Olive Garden style Bread sticks

When eating out, even when I am ordering an entree that costs me twenty bucks a pop, more than waiting for my order to show up, I anxiously look forward to those tasty baskets of warm and fresh baked rolls or bread sticks. And more often than not I am sure to ask for a second helping. Yes, I am a total bread lover. Love all kinds. Love eating 'em as well as making 'em. Guess our bodies are programmed to like carbs.
Seeing the overwhelming response to the pizza hut bread sticks, I got reminded of some of the other kinds of bread I have eaten at restaurants. On popular demand here is a recipe for Olive Garden style bread sticks. And trust me I got reminded of a few others, so stay tuned :)

This one is the the easiest breads I have baked so far. The recipe is simple and almost effortless and the result is a soft flaky bread stick with a thin crusty shell that garnished with seasoning is a snack unto itself, yes feel free to sit with a knife and some butter if you must.

Ingredients:  makes about 6

All purpose flour		2 1/8 cups
Rapid rise yeast		1 1/4 tsp
Warm water		3/4 cup
Unsalted butter		2 tbsp melted
Sugar		1 tbsp
Salt		1 1/4 tsp salt
Butter, salt, garlic powder

Method:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water and allow to sit for 5-6 minutes, or till frothy.
2. In separate bowl, combine flour and salt. Add to yeast mixture. Add melted butter. Mix with with hands or spatula till no dry flour left.
3. Knead dough for a 1-2 minutes just until dough is smooth. Add a tbsp of flour if it appears too sticky. Do not over-knead.
4. Prepare a cookie sheet and line it with parchment paper. Oil your palms, pull pieces off the dough (about 6-7) and roll out into strips. Cover the dough and let sit in a warm place for 45-50 minutes.
5. Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Pop in the bread sticks.

6. In microwave safe bowl melt, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, add a pinch of oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt.
7. After bread sticks have baked for 6 or 7 minutes, brush the bread sticks with half the butter mixture. Then continue to bake. Bake for 7-10 more minutes or till light golden.

8. Take out from the oven and immediately brush the other half of the butter on the sticks. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. ENJOY!
Inspired from here

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