Crusty Breadsticks in your wood fired Amigo Oven

Ingredients

  • 450g/1lb strong white breadflour, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 x 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • 250–275ml warm water
  • vegetable oil or spray oil, for oiling
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
      • Outline Skewers Sketch

Method

Makes 12

These delicious breadsticks are ideal served with baked Camembert (as per our recipe) and dips such as, taramasalata, hummus and guacamole. Why not vary the toppings with fresh rosemary and thyme, olives, chorizo or sesame and poppy seeds.

This recipe is ideal for a falling oven after cooking a roast. If necessary fire your oven back up to 200c, remove all burning embers, logs and ash. Bake the breaksticks on a baking tray with oven door open.

  • Dust two large baking trays with flour.
  • Put the flour, yeast and the salt into a large bowl and add enough of the water to make a soft but not sticky dough. Knead well for 10 minutes by hand on a lightly floured work surface or for five minutes if using an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook.
  • Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions, each weighing about 60g/2½oz. Roll the portions into balls, then place each ball on a floured surface and roll into a long sausage shape about 25cmx2cm/10inx1in. (For the best visual results make the sausage shape an even thickness.)
  • I like to shape half of them into twists. Run a knife down the centre to split the dough, leaving a bit at one end uncut. Braid or plait the two halves over each other to give a twisted effect.
  • Place the breadsticks on the prepared baking trays, spacing them 4cm/1½in apart. Cover the breadsticks loosely with oiled clingfilm, making sure it is airtight. Leave in warm place for 30 minutes, or until the breadsticks have almost doubled in size. The longer you leave them to rise the better the texture.
  • Remove the clingfilm and brush each breadstick with the extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle half of the breadsticks with the sea salt and the remainder with the freshly ground black pepper or topping of your choice.
  • Bake on a baking tray in your Amigo oven for about 20 minutes with the door open until the breadsticks are lightly golden-brown and feel firm to the touch. Remove the breadsticks from the oven and leave to cool on the baking trays.
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