Knots already!

So, I am finally going to post that knot recipe. I was surprised at how many of you requested it! They are super easy, and if you really like garlic don't be shy! I first had these in NYC eons ago at a small pizza joint on 31st and Lexington. Whilst eating them, I felt I had simply died and gone to heaven. If you let the dough rise just the right amount(I can't tell you a time as it's different everytime) they bake up so fluffy. One trick you need to remember about making a proper "knot" is to take the end that is on the bottom and bring it thru the top and down. This way you don't have a "tail". Basically, you are rolling your piece of dough into a snake(play-doh lingo) tying it as you would when you first begin to tie a shoelace, then bring that bottom piece afore mentioned back up and down. Leaving the top piece peaking through. Comprende?

Bread Dough

1 c. milk, warmed ( I often will make it from dry milk)

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/4 c. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs

4 c. bread flour (touch more if needed)

2 1/4 tsp. yeast

Butter mixture

2-6 cloves garlic, crushed

6 Tbsp butter

I usually make the dough in my bread machine on the "dough" setting. This is just easier for me with kids and such. If you will do the same, add ingredients according to your machines directions. Rule of thumb of course is not to mix salt and yeast, as this will kill the yeast. You also can not use this recipe in the machine on a timed setting since it uses milk and eggs.

Once the dough is ready divide into about 24 portions(give or take). Roll into "snake", wrap as directed in above comments. Place on lightly greased baking sheet or baking pans, about 1 inch apart. Let proof in a slightly warmed oven until double in size. Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 15-18 min. or until lightly browned on top. Tip, when removing from oven to preheat for baking, take extra care to handle pans gently and don't touch dough, This can cause them to deflate.

Before you are going to remove the bread from the oven, melt better in small sauce pan with the crushed garlic. Keep warm. When bread is ready, place butter/garlic mixture in large bowl. Place knots in bowl and gently toss to coat with mixture. Sprinkle with freshly ground sea salt(the coarser ground the better).

Voila. You are done.