If in doubt, ask a 9 year old ! Thats exactly what I had to do when making these breadsticks. The recipe says divide the mixture into 12 equal portions, roll the portions into balls, then place each ball on a floured surface and roll into a long sausage shape, for the best visual results make the sausage shape an even thickness, now this is easier said than done.
 
Dividing the dough was easy, rolling into balls was easy, but could I make them into long sausage shapes, hell no !!!!
 
Call in Luca, after many years of play dough experience he was just the man I needed and did a perfect job for me. Thanks Luca, you are a star.
 
We enjoyed them with dinner and dipped them into lovely olive oil and balsamic.
 
Buon appetito
 
(Photo of Luca taken in Tuscany Easter 2010 & the photo of the breadsticks was taken on my gorgeous iPhone)
 
Luca
 

450g strong white bread flour, 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 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sea salt
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper

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).

breadstick dough

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.

breadstick dough

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.

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.

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. Bake on the top third of the oven for about 20 minutes, or 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.

jumbo bread stick