Italian Bread Sticks - warm water

Method

• In mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water.
• Add salt, sugar, shortening and half the flour.
• Beat vigorously until smooth.
• Mix in rest of flour.
• Knead on floured cloth-covered board until smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Cover; let rise 1 hour, until double in bulk.
• Heat oven to 400°.
• Divide in half.
• Cut each half into 24 pieces.
• Roll each into pencil shapes, 6, 8 or 10 inches (depending on how thick you like the sticks).
• Place on greased baking sheet 1 inch apart.
• Brush with beaten egg (add 1 tablespoon water to 1 egg).
• Sprinkle with sesame, celery or poppy seed, corn meal or coarse salt.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
• Makes 48.