Crispy sticks with rosemary and thyme

Crispy Sticks with Rosemary and Thyme

If you're looking for a delicious snack that perfectly complements any soup or broth, or can be enjoyed on its own, these crispy sticks with rosemary and thyme are just what you need. With an intense flavor and a crunchy texture, these sticks will quickly become your favorites. In this recipe, I will show you step by step how to prepare them, providing you with some useful tips to achieve a perfect result.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Rising time: 1 hour
Baking time: 10-15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Number of servings: 20 sticks

Ingredients:
- 500 g white flour
- 250 ml warm water
- 25 g fresh yeast (approximately one cube)
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
- 1 sprig of fresh thyme
- Sea salt (for sprinkling)

Short history
Crispy breadsticks are an age-old tradition found in many culinary cultures. They are often used as an accompaniment for soups or broths, adding texture and flavor. Rosemary and thyme, aromatic herbs with medicinal properties, are frequently used in cooking due to their distinctive taste and nutritional benefits.

Step-by-step preparation

Step 1: Preparing the dough
There are two methods to prepare the dough for your crispy sticks: using a bread machine or manually.

Method 1: Bread machine
1. Place all the ingredients into the bread machine, following this order: flour, warm water, yeast (previously dissolved with sugar), salt, and olive oil.
2. Select the dough program and let the machine work its magic.

Method 2: Manual
1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. In another bowl, mix the flour with salt. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the yeast mixture.
3. Stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. Transfer the dough to a well-floured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth.
4. Add the olive oil and continue kneading for another 5 minutes.

Step 2: Dough rising
1. Place the dough in a bowl greased with a little olive oil, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

Step 3: Shaping the sticks
1. Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Gently knead it to release the air.
2. Divide the dough into equal pieces, each weighing about 25 g. Shape each piece into thin sticks about 10 cm long.
3. Twist each stick along its length to give it an interesting shape.

Step 4: Preparing for baking
1. Place the sticks on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush them with milk to achieve a golden and crispy crust.
2. Sprinkle sea salt on each stick. Then, finely chop the rosemary and thyme, and sprinkle them on half of the sticks (for example, on the right side), while leaving the other half plain.

Step 5: Baking
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Bake the sticks for 10-15 minutes, or until they become golden and crispy.
3. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on a cooling rack to maintain their crunchy texture.

Useful tips
- Make sure the yeast is fresh to achieve a well-risen dough.
- If you don't have fresh rosemary or thyme, you can also use dried versions, but the flavors will be more intense with fresh herbs.
- These sticks can be stored in an airtight container for a few days, but they are best enjoyed fresh.

Variations
- You can experiment with other herbs, such as oregano or basil, to change the flavor of the sticks.
- Add grated cheese to the dough for a richer version, or even sesame seeds for an extra crunch.

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use whole wheat flour in the recipe?
Yes, you can use whole wheat flour, but you may need to adjust the amount of water since this flour absorbs more moisture.

2. What can I do with leftover sticks?
Leftover sticks can be ground and used as a base for croutons or served with various dips.

3. How can I serve the crispy sticks?
These sticks are perfect alongside soups or broths, but they can also be served with cheeses, olives, or vegetable spreads as appetizers.

Nutritional benefits
These sticks are a good source of complex carbohydrates from the flour, while rosemary and thyme provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Olive oil offers healthy fatty acids that are beneficial for the heart.

Enjoy these crispy sticks with rosemary and thyme alongside a warm soup or as a snack during the day. They will surely win you over with their intense flavors and crunchy texture!

 Ingredients: 500 grams of white flour, 250 ml of water, a 25-gram cube of fresh yeast, half a teaspoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a sprig of rosemary, and a sprig of thyme.