Buns and rolls...

I am not talking about my buns (at four months post-partum they aren't worth mentioning) and I am certainly not talking about my rolls... we just won't go there. However, I am talking about two of the best bread recipes I have. For Cornmeal Yeast Rolls and Beautiful Burger Buns.

Cornmeal Yeast Rolls are a tradition in my family. The recipe comes from my Aunt Ramona - one of the best cooks I ever met. No one is sure where she came by the recipe but it is pretty amazing. As Aunt Mona passed away a few years ago, making these rolls seems to keep her with us. Yes, it takes work, but you will be glad you made them!

1/3 C cornmeal
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 C shortening
2 C milk
2 beaten eggs
1 pkg yeast
1/4 C lukewarm water
4 C flour

Cook cornmeal, salt, sugar, shortening and milk in a double boiler until thick. Cool to lukewarm. Add yeast dissolved in water. Add beaten eggs. Let rise 2 hours. Add flour - don't add too much! The more sticky the dough, the lighter the rolls. Let rise 1 hour. Punch down and make into rolls. Let rise 30 minutes before baking. Bake 15 minutes at 375 degrees.

I am telling you, those are awesome. My mom and I are in a magazine for those rolls. Seriously. :)

Okay, so I know that letting dough rise all day takes time and we are modern women. We have things to do! So perhaps you don't want to hang out in the kitchen making those rolls. Here is a very good, very tasty, fast bun recipe from my very good friends at King Arthur Flour. It is called Beautiful Burger Buns.

It is great - the cookbook version adds 1/2 tsp dried minced onion which I love. Again, don't use too much flour. Sticky dough = light bread.

I make the beautiful burger buns for our hamburger buns. Great for sandwiches too... and I am hoping they will be awesome with Meg's cheese! I bought cheese cloth today and will be trying to make Megan's cheese this week. I am going for it!