on Apr 6th, 2007Par-baked crusty rolls
I like to do ahead as much of a big meal as I can, and since I love crusty, holey bread, I developed this recipe for what are basically brown ‘n’ serve mini breads, shaped like rolls. They’re a mainstay for holiday meals. I make them in the food processor with the metal blade or in a stand mixer with the dough hook, but the recipe is small enough to do by hand or in a bread machine on the dough cycle.
Ella’s Par-baked Crusty Rolls
13 1/8 ounces (375 g) bread flour - that’s about 3 cups
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or melted and cooled butter
1 large egg white
10 ounces water - cold, if using the processor, baby-bottle warm for all other methods
Place flour, sugar, salt and yeast in workbowl and mix thoroughly. Add the oil/melted butter, egg white and 8 ounces of the water and pulse/mix until the dough forms a ball. If too dry, add some or all of the remaining water. Once you’ve got a ball, process/knead until it’s mostly smooth - about 45 seconds in the processor, 2 minutes in a stand mixer. 
Remove dough to a lightly floured surface; if the dough is a bit sticky, wet your hands rather than add flour. A slack dough will give us holes. Knead lightly, form into a round and place in a greased bowl, covered, for about an hour, until you can poke your knuckle into it and the indentation remains.
Punch down the dough, turn out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 10 pieces. Round each into a ball. Some or all might show blisters on the surface now - that’s a good thing. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment and let rise for another 30-35 minutes, till nicely risen.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. When the rolls have risen, bake for 6 minutes. They’ll just be starting to brown. Let cool briefly on the baking sheet then move to a rack to cool competely. Wrap well and pop them into the freezer.
When you need rolls, remove and bake at 400 degrees for 9-12 minutes. If your oven’s already going at 350 with other things in it, bake at the lower temp for 11-12 minutes, up to 14 if needed. 400 is preferable.
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