HERBED BREADSTICKS

By gaster16

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 package dry yeast
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried whole basil
• 2 egg whites
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Preparation

Step 1

Combine water, shortening, sugar and salt, stir until shortening melts. Cool to 105 to 115 degrees. Add yeast to mixture, let stand 5 minutes. Stir in 1-1/2 cups flour and herbs. Set mixture aside. Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until soft peaks form, fold into flour mixture. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Turn dough out on a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic (about 2 to 3 minutes).

Place dough in a well-greased bowl, turning to grease the top. Cover and let dough rise in a warm place, free from drafts, 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in bulk. Punch down, and divide in half. Roll out half of dough on a floured surface to 1/4" thickness. Cut into 5 1/2 x 1/2" strips. Roll strips with both hands into 7" ropes. Place on ungreased baking sheets and brush dough with butter. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Repeat with remaining dough. Makes 3 dozen.