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Spicy Peppercorn & Pecorino Breadsticks

Source of Recipe

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Spicy Peppercorn & Pecorino Breadsticks

Cooking Light - July 2003
24 servings (serving size: 1 breadstick)

With black and red pepper, these breadsticks pack some heat. If you don't have semolina, you can use cornmeal.

Ingredients:
1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1-1/3 cups warm water (100° to 110°)
3-1/2 cups bread flour, divided
2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil
2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
1-3/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 cup (4 ounces) grated fresh pecorino Romano cheese
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons ground semolina

Preparation:
Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add 1/2 cup flour to yeast mixture, stirring with a whisk. Let stand 30 minutes. Add remaining 3 cups flour, olive oil, black pepper, salt, and red pepper; stir until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); cover and let rest 10 minutes. Knead in half of cheese; cover and let rest 5 minutes. Knead in remaining cheese.

Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 45 minutes or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.) Punch dough down. Roll dough into a 12 x 8-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.

Preheat oven to 450°.

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon semolina onto each of 2 baking sheets. Cut dough in half lengthwise to form 2 (12 x 4-inch) rectangles. Cut each rectangle crosswise into 12 (1-inch-wide) strips. Working with 1 strip at a time (cover remaining dough to prevent drying), gently roll each strip into a 15-inch-long rope. Place rope on prepared pan, and repeat procedure with remaining strips, placing 12 on each pan. Cover and let dough rise 20 minutes.

Uncover dough; bake each pan at 450° for 12 minutes. Remove breadsticks from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

1 breadstick equals: Calories 99 (Calories from fat 22 %); Fat 2.4 g (Satfat 1 g, Monofat 1.2 g, Polyfat 0.1 g); Protein 4.4 g; Carbohydrate 15.7 g; Fiber 0.7 g; Cholesterol 5 mg; Sodium 228 mg