Little Wife On the Prairie





When you are everything to everyone, well, you had better act like you have it all together.



Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Buns of steel! (really buns of wheat but that doesn't sound as exciting)

I love to make our own hamburger buns.  We use them for all sorts of things, not just burgers.  I don't always make them.  Sometimes we buy them from the store.  GASP!  Yes it is true.  But I do enjoy the process when I have the time to do it myself.
Start with 1 and 1/3 cups warm (not hot) milk.  Have you ever wondered why people in the movies drink warm milk when they can't sleep?  I have never actually met anyone who does this.  Is this something we are all missing out on?  Does warm milk have some sleep-inducing quality?  Is warm milk magic?!?  (What's with all the questions about warm milk?  Don't you have anything better to think about?   This lady needs a warm glass of get a life.  Why am I reading this blog anyway?)  

Moving along...this is yeast.  You all know yeast.  It is nature's finest in a jar.
(2 and 1/4 tsp)

When you mix it with sugar, yummy, ferment-y things happen.
(2 Tbs)

While you are awaiting "proof", gather the other ingredients.
 Don't know why I love you, I just do.
(1 and 1/4 tsp Kosher salt)

Don't my girls make pretty eggs?  It's almost sad to have to destroy it.
(1 egg)

Photo needs no caption.  Butter speaks for itself.
(4 Tbs butter)
I am in love with the man who gave me these.  And with the 4 little munchkins that follow him around.  They're cool too. 


Now that we have gathered the ingredients and viewed our Mother's Day present we can check our yeast.  See, "proof" of the leavening power of your yeast.  It will smell like addiction.  Yeasty, yeasty addiction.

Time to mix in the above ingredients well with the proofed yeast.  Then we add our flours.  I used half and half.  Whole wheat and white.  Knead the dough10 minutes or until it springs back when you mash it.  You know, like elastic.
(4 cups flour)

I love the way dough rises.
(Until doubled)

After the rise I punch down the dough and cut the dough ball in half, then cut the halves in half, then cut those in half until I had 12 perfectly portioned dough balls.

I used my lovely daughter to take this picture.  I am expertly flattening out the dough ball.  Think hamburger patty.  I am sure you could roll out the dough and cut circles instead.  I have not tried this so if you do, let me know how it turns out.

Line them on a baking sheet and let them rise until puffed.

See, puffed.
(The recipe calls for an egg wash and sesame seeds but we just aren't that fancy on a daily basis.)

Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes.  Then, cut them open and fill them with deliciousness.  These were made for BBQ sandwiches.  The extra buns make great toast or you can use them like you would any slicing bread.  I wanna hear how they turn out for you if you try them!

Here is the written recipe:

1pkg or 2 and 1/4 Tsp yeast
1 and 1/3 cups warm milk
2 Tbs sugar
1 and 1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 lightly beaten egg
4 Tbs butter softened
4 cups flour (half and half)

Mix milk, yeast and sugar.  Proof for 10-15 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients in order.  Knead with dough hook 8 minutes or by hand 10 to 15.  Rise unitl doubled.  Divide into 12 balls.  Form bun. Rise until puffed, 60 minutes.  Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes.

1 comment:

jeana said...

haha, you make me laugh ;) made my first buns last week. they were ginormous! i'll keep practicing...