Italian Breadsticks (3 dozen breadsticks)

Homemade breadsticks can lift an ordinary meal into a special event.  Just follow these easy directions for an outstanding bread product.  It’'s lots of fun when family members join in the breadstick shaping procedure. 

1 package active dry yeast
2/3 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 to 2 and 1/2 cups flour
Vegetable oil
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
Toasted sesame seed or poppy seed, if desired

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in large mixing bowl.

2. Stir in sugar, salt, 1/4 cup oil and 1 cup of the flour.      Beat until smooth.

3. Mix in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to     handle.

4. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until     smooth and elastic.

5. Divided dough in half.  Divide each half in thirds.      Divide each third into six small pieces of dough.  Roll     each piece into a rope 6-8 inches long.

6. Place about 1-inch apart on a parchment-lined or     greased cookie sheet.

7. Brush each piece with oil.  Cover with plastic wrap; let     rise in warm place about 20-30 minutes.

8. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Beat egg white and 1     tablespoon water slightly; brush over breadsticks and     sprinkle with sesame seed or poppy seed, if desired.

9. Bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.