Beyond Easy Dinner Rolls

I just got home from visiting my mother in Atlanta where I also catered a small wedding. The menu was full of things like phyllo wrapped around organic mashed potatoes, fresh gulf shrimp, and cilantro pesto (coming soon to a blog near you!) as well as soy butter glazed carrots amongst other very nice gastronomically pleasing items.

One of these other items was not only something that the bride said was the best she ever had homemade or store bought, but also an item that everyone loves (so much so that I had to make them again for my mother's church group, which allowed me the time to get some photos). And that is a good dinner roll. This yeast roll is delicious, and, in the realm of yeast rolls and breads, it is very easy and I would say at least pretty quick.

Here is the recipe:

2 1/2 Cups of All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Tsp. Instant Yeast (or 1 package)
2 Tbsp. Sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 Tsp. Salt
1 Fresh Egg
3/4 Cup of Very Warm Water (Not Hot-about 110 degrees)
Poppy Seeds (Optional)
Butter or Margarine (Brushing)

Preheat oven to 415 degrees & butter a round baking dish.

First, put water and yeast together in a mixing bowl and allow to dissolve for about a minute. Then add the egg, oil, sugar, & salt and stir thoroughly. Gently stir in 1 cup of flour . Now is the time to cover this mixture with a towel and allow it to sit for 15 minutes in a very warm place (near a working stove, etc). The mixture should rise and form air bubbles.

After 15 minutes, stir the mixture & add the other 1 1/2 cups of flour. Mix till you get a dough and then knead the dough for about 3 minutes adding flour as needed for sticky areas. Divide the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and line a round, greased baking sheet with the dough balls. Allow to rise in a warm place (near a hot stove or in a slightly warm oven) for 25 minutes.

Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake at 410-15 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Up close and golden!

And it's finished-delicious & beautiful for the ladies.