Do you ever crave some yummy crunchy on the outside…soft and steamy on the inside garlic knots?  You know the kind that your order from your favorite Pizzeria!  Well here is a quick and easy Garlic Knot recipe that you can make for the whole family at a fraction of the cost.

My family is crazy for Garlic Knots.  But guess what…we never order them any more because we get 4 times the amount for the same price as an order of 6.  For the ultra quick version all you need is 1/2 an hour from start to finish.  Sometimes I feel like making fresh pizza dough (click here for an awesome recipe!) and sometimes I don’t.  So…if you are not in the mood to make your own dough…pick it up from your local Pizzeria!  That’s right…every Pizzeria will sell you their pizza dough…you can also get it at a good bakery and then just about any Grocery Store carries it…so there is no excuse…it is so readily available.  If you get your dough pre-made…you are 30 minutes away from these…

 

Yes…they are as good as they look!  It is so simple…you just divide your batch of dough into 24 equal parts…then you roll the dough into a 4-6 inch rope (details below.)  Then you tie a knot…just like this…

 

It’s is truly that simple.  As you roll each one…place it on a parchment lined cookie sheet or a non-stick cookie sheet…or a buttered cookie sheet.  If using pre-made dough…take it out of the fridge about 2 hours prior to making the knots…it works better at room temp.  Preheat the over to 425.  Now here is where these garlic knots differ from the ones that you get at an Italian Restaurant…they are a bit lighter.  I use olive oil instead of butter…not that butter isn’t good…I actually have a recipe for Creamy Roasted Garlic Butter that would be perfect for these if you like butter better!  I brush the olive oil mixture on to each knot…that way I am in control and to be honest they are really tastier this way and don’t forget…you brush them again when they come out of the oven…all the details are in the recipe below. A plate of these are going to make your family and friends smile for sure.

 

You can use your favorite marinara sauce recipe and if you would like a homemade QUICK marinara sauce that tastes like it simmered for hours…it is waiting for you below.  Trust me…I am use to making sauce that takes HOURS and HOURS…the old school Italian way and I love this.  Years back I watched a show on the Food Network…a Boxer was a guest star and he said FRY your tomato paste and let me tell you…it is the best tip I ever got…it improved every sauce that I used it in.  Then I experimented because my son wanted a sauce for dipping that has a touch of sweetness like the one at the pizzeria…well I nailed it and I use it all the time for a quick and easy dipping sauce…pizza sauce and other quick and easy recipes that need a quick sauce.  Don’t be afraid of the Balsamic…it brightens the sauce up and the brown sugar takes away any bitterness…they work in perfect harmony.  So are you ready for some of these…

 

Piping hot out of the oven…even snatched a pizzeria style basket to make it feel authentic!

 

It is time to dig in and enjoy!  Of course you can change it up with different herbs…cheeses…dips.  You can even use this technique with my hot soft pretzel dough…it works perfectly…but you might want to change up the dipping sauce with a nice mustard or horseradish sauce…but marinara still works fine!  If you are really in a pinch…crack open a roll of your biscuits and apply the same technique also.  So many options…all delicious and easy.  Bon Appetit!!!

 

 

These quick and easy garlic knots are a wonderful way to start any family dinner or gathering (they are especially great to snack on during your favorite football game)! These delicious little morsels are on the lighter side, they are lightly brushed with garlic infused olive oil and sprinkled with your favorite grated cheese and chopped herbs. Also don’t forget to serve them with a side of marinara sauce!

Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
27 min
Ingredients
1.    Pizza Dough 1 lb
2.    Olive Oil 1/3 cup
3.    Garlic Salt 2 tsp
4.    Chopped Fresh Herbs 1 tsp
5.    Grated Cheese 2 tsp
To Prepare the Olive Oil Mixture
1.    Pour 1/3 of a cup of Olive Oil into a small bowl.
2.    Add the 2 tsp of garlic salt to the Olive Oil.
3.    Whisk the the two ingredients together.
To Prepare the Dough
1.    Lightly flour your working surface.
2.    Divide into 24 pieces.
3.    Roll into little logs, approximately 4 to 6 inches long. (see picture above)
4.    Tie each log into an individual knots. (see picture above)
5.    Place the knots on parchment lined cookie sheet.
6.    Brush each knot with olive oil mixture.
7.    Place in the oven which has been preheated to 425 degrees.
8.    Set timer for 12 to 15 minutes.
After you take them out of the oven
1.    Lightly brush each knot with the olive oil mixture.
2.    Sprinkle them with grated cheese and fresh herbs.
3.    Place them on a your choice of serving dish.
4.    Enjoy!
Notes
1.    Cooking time varies with your oven, start with 12 minutes, check on them and if they need more leave them in until they are golden brown.
2.    Check the post above for pizza dough recipes.
3.    To make this really quick and easy, buy prepared dough from your local pizzeria.
4.    If you want to add more of the oil mixture, feel free to serve it as a dip on the side.
By Andrea Cammarata
Andrea’s Quick and Easy Marinara Sauce
A Lite Marinara Sauce, just like your local pizzeria!

Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
20 min
Ingredients
1.    Tomato Paste 1 can
2.    Olive Oil 1 tbsp
3.    Chopped Garlic Cloves 2
4.    Chopped Scallions 1 tsp
5.    Balsamic Vinegar 1 tbsp
6.    Brown Sugar 1 tbsp
7.    Italian Seasonings 1 tbsp
8.    Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
1.    Chop your garlic and scallions.
2.    Heat your olive oil in a small sauce pan.
3.    Add your garlic and scallions to the heated oil, saute them for 2 minutes.
4.    Add the entire can of tomato paste to the sauce pan, stir the paste into the oil until blended.
5.    Saute the mixture for 3 minutes.
6.    Add seasonings (Italian seasonings, salt and pepper)
7.    Add three cans of water (use the tomato paste can), combine until smooth.
8.    Add your balsamic vinegar and brown sugar, stir until combined.
9.    Simmer while covered for 10 minutes.
10.    Place in dipping bowl and enjoy!

 

 

(((((HUGS)))))

ANDREA