Grissini

400 g flour
25 g fresh yeast or 7 g dry yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
35 g butter
250 g water
2-3 tbsp sesame seeds
1-2 tbsp rosemary,basil or chives,finely chopped
1 egg to glaze
sea salt flakes for sprinkling
If using dry yeast then follow the instructions on the package.

If using fresh yeast:
Boil half of the water & pour it over the butter,stir until completely melted.
Add the rest of the cold water,you should get lukewarm mixture.
Add flour & salt.
Melt the yeast with sugar & mix everything together.
Knead for 5 min or until dough starts to come off the hands & bowl. Sprinkle over little bit of flour & leave to stand in warm place,covered with cling film or clean towel for 40 min or until its doubled in size.
Turn the dough out onto the floured surface & cut into 3 pieces.Leave one piece plane,knead the sesame seeds into the second piece & the chopped herbs into the last piece.Cut each quarter into 8 pieces,then roll each piece into a rope about 25 cm long.Transfer to a greased & floured baking sheets.Cover with clean towel & leave in a warm place for 30 min.
Brush the bread sticks with whisked egg.Sprinkle the plain ones with sea salt flakes.
Bake in a preheated oven at 220C for 10 min or until golden.
Cool on the wire rack.
Makes 24 sticks.Yumm.