Crispy Breadsticks with Sea Salt and Sesame Seeds

In large bowl, dissolve sugar in 1/4 cup (50 mL) warm water. Sprinkle in yeast; let stand until frothy, about 10 minutes. Add 1-1/4 cups (300 mL) warm water, oil and honey. With wooden spoon, stir in 3-1/2 cups (875 mL) of the flour and salt until shaggy dough forms.

Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes, adding enough of the remaining flour as necessary to prevent sticking.

Place in greased bowl, turning to grease all over. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Punch down dough; turn out onto floured surface. Divide in half; pat each half into 8- x 5-inch (20 x 12 cm) square. Cover with tea towel; let dough rest for 10 minutes.

Cut each square crosswise to make 16 strips. On unfloured surface, roll each strip by hand into 16-inch (40 cm) long stick.

Grease 2 rimless baking sheets; set pans aside.

Topping: In small bowl, whisk egg with 1 tbsp (15 mL) water. On sheet of waxed paper, combine sesame seeds with sea salt. Brush sticks with egg mixture; roll each in salt mixture to coat. Place, 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart, on prepared pans. Bake in top and bottom thirds of 450°F (230°C) oven, rotating and switching pans halfway through, until golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer to racks to let cool. (Make-ahead: Wrap in plastic wrap and store for up to 2 days; recrisp in 350°F/180°C oven for about 10 minutes.)

Additional information :

Bread Machine Crispy Breadsticks with Sea Salt and Sesame Seeds (for dough only): Into pan of 2 lb (1 kg) bread machine, place (in order) 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) water, sugar, olive oil, honey, 4 cups (1 L) all-purpose flour and 1-1/4 tsp (6 mL) bread machine yeast. Select dough setting. Shape and bake as directed.

Variations
Nori Sesame Breadsticks: Add 1/2 cup (125 mL) sliced nori to topping. (If shredded nori is unavailable, cut sheet of nori into 3- x 1/8-inch/8 cm x 3 mm strips.)

Herbed Salt Breadsticks: Substitute 2 tsp (10 mL) Herbed Salt for the sesame seeds and salt.

Source : Canadian Living Magazine: April 2006