Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Peasant Rolls

We went to a cute little Italian restaurant last weekend, and my dearly beloved was absolutely wild about their dinner rolls.  I tried a bite of one, and then set about trying to come close to that flavor after we got home.  An adaptation of a bread recipe from Beth Hensperger's cookbook, this was the result.

PEASANT ROLLS

1-1/2 cups warm water
3 tsp or 6 tsp yeast*
4-1/4 cups flour
2 tbsp gluten powder
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp salt
3 tbsp olive oil

Pour the water in your bread machine bucket or mixing bowl, and sprinkle the yeast over it (use the larger amount to get the rolls to rise faster).  Add the remaining ingredients in the order listed, and mix on the dough cycle in your bread machine or at slow speed with your mixer.  Knead for 10 minutes, let rest for 10 minutes, knead for another 5 minutes, then form into 16 balls.  Place on a baking sheet and flatten with your palm, then let them rise until doubled in size. Pour 1/2 cup of water in the bottom of your preheated oven, then bake at 375F for 20 to 25 minutes, or 375F Convection for 16 to 20 minutes.

My dearly beloved was just delighted that I nailed the flavor of the restaurant's rolls perfectly, and even more pleased that my crust was thinner.  My littlest fussbudget, from whom "It's OK" is high food praise, pointed out to me that he loves these rolls, and claims to have eaten 8 yesterday.  So it should come as no surprise to anyone that I made these Monday and Tuesday nights, and they're on schedule for today, as well!

10 comments:

Lapdog Creations said...

So... do you ship Fed Ex? :) lol Yum!

SissySees said...

Those sound awesome. Might even motivate me to bake again.

angie.a said...

" So you had to throw in the OMG there to confuse us? I love the white eyelet style things you've chosen. Have fun with your new summer wardrobe."

Thanks. The OMG piece was for those with a sense of humor.

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Howdy Marjie, the rolls sounds perfect. If only they lasted longer than a day, sigh, hehe. No worries, and love, Carol (and Stella and Rory)

Big Dude said...

I'm always impressed when folks can replicate a recipe at home just based on having tasted it in a restaurant - nice job.

Blond Duck said...

Oh Lord. Pray Ben doesn't see these. I can't make bread like you can!

Pam said...

Don't you love it when you can re-create a recipe? The rolls look fantastic!

Mary said...

I love love LOVE when a recipe works out this well! Way to go, Marjie! I'm sure your husband really was thrilled with these rolls. They sound wonderful!

grace said...

restaurant remakes are awesome when you improve upon what you loved about them to begin with! nice!

Laura said...

YUM! I love it when I can nail a restaurant flavor at home! Score one for mom. :)