Garlic Knots

I've seen this recipe on two blogs I keep my eye on - Annie's Eats and Amber's Delectable Delights. Last weekend when the urge to bake something hit this is what I decided to try.

It was a very simple recipe, made even better by dousing the tops of each roll in butter before baking. I tried to place these rolls somewhat close together on the cookie sheet so that there would be some nice softness to the rolls as they puffed up. I just used a regular metal baking sheet coated with a mist of Pam. The recipe calls for italian or pizza seasoning. All I had on hand was oregano so I mixed a dash of that in with the melted butter. The result was a light and fluffy, garlicy roll that made my husband polish off 5 or so in the course of the afternoon and following day.

Ingredients:
Dough -
3 c. bread flour or all purpose
1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp of instant yeast
1 1/4 tsp of salt
2 tbsp 0live oil
1/4 c. milk
1 c. + 2 tbsp. lukewarm water

Glaze -
2-3 cloves garlic
2 tbsp melted butter
1/2 tsp italian seasoning

Directions:
Combine dry ingredients in bowl of stand mixer fitted with dough hook. Add all the wet ingredients. Stir until combined. Begin kneading dough with dough hook for approximately 8-9 minutes or until dough is smooth, yet elastic. Transfer to a bowl that's been coated in olive oil and turn dough ball until lightly covered in oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hr.

Divide dough into 10 equal portions. Roll each portion into a rope and tie into a knot. Keep tucking the ends in on the center of the roll. Note: I cut all 10 portions, then rolled all 10 portions, then knotted all 10 portions. In the process of knotting each rope, some of the other ropes began to rise again causing air bubbles. I recommend knotting each rope immediately after rolling out the rope.

Spray a metal baking sheet with PAM and place each roll on the sheet. (Or use a baking stone) Let the rolls rise for about 45 minutes before glazing with the garlic butter.

Prepare the glaze by mincing garlic, adding it to the butter along with the seasonings, and melting butter in the microwave or on stovetop. Use a brush to glaze each roll. Pop the baking sheet in the oven and bake until golden brown (about 15 mins).