Super addictive, these delicious soft breadsticks are laced with garlic, cheese, and herbs on the inside and out. They make a fun handheld snack that’s a real crowd-pleaser. Serve them with Provençal Vinaigrette (page 240) or Lemon Aïoli (page 126) or just by themselves. Feel free to get creative and play with the ingredients, adding kick with chili powder or paprika, or for a Latin twist, try using cilantro, cumin, and cinnamon.

　　

Ingredients

makes 2 dozen

　　1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing the pans

　　3 garlic cloves, minced

　　1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

　　1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

　　1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme

　　1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

　　1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

　　1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　All-purpose flour, for dusting

　　Two 6-ounce balls Pizza Dough (page 232) or store-bought

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Lightly oil two baking sheets.

　　

Step 2

In a small bowl, stir together the oil and garlic. In another small bowl, combine the cheese, parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

　　

Step 3

On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll a ball of dough into a 6 × 8-inch rectangle. Brush the surface generously with some of the garlic oil and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the cheese-herb mixture. Fold the dough crosswise over itself, so the herb mixture is now tucked in the middle. Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to form a roughly 6 × 10-inch rectangle, about 1 inch thick. Repeat with the second ball of dough.

　　

Step 4

Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut each rectangle of dough lengthwise into 6 strips, about 1 inch wide. Then cut the strips crosswise in half, so you end up with 24 pieces, each about 5 inches long. Grab each dough strip with both hands and twist both ends several times in opposite directions to coil into a twist. Place the twists on the prepared pan, 1 inch apart. Brush the twists with more garlic oil.

　　

Step 5

Bake the twists, rotating the pan halfway through cooking so they brown evenly, until golden, roughly 15 minutes.

　　

Step 6

Immediately after baking, roll the hot twists in the remaining cheese-herb mixture until well coated. Serve warm or at room temperature.

　　Michael's Genuine Food