Garlic Knots Recipe

My husband and I used to go to this little pizza place after church sometimes when we lived in Denver.  The pizza was only ok.  Really we were just going so we could get an order of garlic knots.  Oh.  So. Good.

We've been missing those knots since we moved, they seemed way too hard to try to make at home.  But it turns out it's not too bad! Especially if you're already used to making things like pizza dough.

Ingredients: 

Makes about 24

(for the dough) 

4 cups flour, I use only half whole wheat on this one (since it's a treat) 

1 3/4 cup warm water

1 envelope yeast (2 tsp) 

2 teaspoons honey

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons salt

(for the breadsticks)

1 stick salted butter, softened

1/4 cup fresh parmesan, grated

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced

2-4 large garlic cloves (depending on how much you like garlic, I like it a lot!) minced

glorious butter

very garlic-y knots!

Putting it together:

To make the dough: Add yeast to mixing bowl, add warm water and honey, give it a stir and wait about 5 minutes for the yeast to get all bubbly.  Add olive oil and stir. 

Start adding the flour 1 cup at a time (I use my stand mixer with the dough hook but you can easily do  this by hand).  Stir on the lowest setting. Keep adding flour and mixing.  Make sure you keep testing the dough's firmness, it's quite possible you won't need all 4 cups of flour, it all depends on what type of flour you're using.  I let the mixer run for about 5 minutes or so to get the dough well kneaded.  Then cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and set in a warm place, like in the oven with the light on (or on a heating pad if you're making this in winter).  Let rise for about 30 or 40 minutes. 

While the dough is rising you can make your herb mixture.  Add the softened butter, herbs, garlic, and parmesan into a small bowl.

I just use a fork to cream everything together.

When your dough if finished rising, gently deflate and remove from bowl.   Roll the dough into a large rectangle.  Spread about 3/4 of the butter mixture on top.

Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough into sections, about 5 or 6 inches long and an inch and a half wide.

Tie the strips into knots or twists.  I made this with a friend the first time, I was determined to make knots, but she made twists, which not only looked prettier but also somehow tasted better! ...I can't seem to make them like she did though.

Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes. When your knots are done (your house should be smelling heavenly by then!) melt the remaining herb mixture in a saucepan (or the microwave) and brush the tops of your glorious creation.

Enjoy!