Buns o’ Love
I made hamburger buns from scratch last night and they were the most rewarding experience ever. They weren’t super duper healthy full of wheat flour or flax seed or anything but they were from scratch so they had considerably less guar gum and monofalutinwhateveritis. I might just turn out to be a baker after all. Well, maybe. This is a small victory for me.
I followed this recipe and only altered the rising time. I read the reviews at the bottom and everyone said to let the dough rise longer than twenty minutes, so I did. Good thing I started making them early because of course I didn’t realize I needed to allow extra time to the rising time until I was elbow deep in the dough. That always happens to me.
The dough was super sticky and I was sure it wouldn’t turn out. I tried to make balls like the recipe said but they looked more like pudgy balls of skin with disgusting flaps and flour globules. Kind of gross actually. But then I remembered how Bethany reassured me that lemon scones looked ugly and they turned out perfectly. So I carried on. Turns out Bethany was right! Dough isn’t always pretty but it sure bakes up nice.
They were so pretty! And the sound they make when you squeeze them? A perfect spongy crunch just like Colette says in Ratatouille. “A symphony of crackle…” I love that line! If you haven’t seen the movie you must watch this clip. It’s my favorite part of the movie.
I should make bread more often. You know how when you buy hamburger buns at the store there are always too many left over and then they sit around in your kitchen mocking you because they are really good for nothing else except maybe Sloppy Joes or pulled pork and we never make that because Toby hates sugar in his meat (the fool)? And then you end up throwing them out or feeding them to the birds and you feel guilty for wasting? Maybe that’s just me.
Well with these buns I’m glad there are leftovers! There are tons of leftovers and I’m going to have them for breakfast with butter and jam! Yum!
Even Bug liked them. She said they were better than McDonald’s which is very high praise coming from her. Toby liked them too. I was feeling a little cocky after such a huge success so I asked Toby what I should try to make tomorrow night. He said ice cream. I said he could buy me an ice cream maker. Harumph.
14 Comments
Linda S
Tip for using leftover, store bought, hamburger buns. Freeze them and the next time you make spaghetti take them out of the freezer in time for them to thaw out, split them open, cover with garlic butter and toast them to go with the spaghetti. I do the same thing with Hot Dog buns. Leftover buns never go to waste around our house! We butter and toast them!
gretchen
How fun are the moving eyes in your banner? Freaky but fun!
sizzle
He should buy you an ice cream maker if he wants ice cream. ;-)
I love baking but shy away from making breads that require yeast. I should really get over it and just try it.
Amber
Homemade ice cream is divine and worth the cost of an ice cream maker! The cooked recipes vs. the just throw in the ingredients recipes are far superior and not that difficult either. Totally worth the effort!
Sonja
Good ice cream comeback! :D
bethany actually
Yay, I’m so glad they turned out! I love it when people realize that baking things with yeast isn’t as scary as they thought. :-)
p.s. Ice-cream makers aren’t really worth it in my opinion. Takes way too much time and the end result isn’t much better than what you can buy for $3 at Ralphs, especially since you aren’t really a big ice-cream person. But then I’m no ice-cream aficianado either. Tell Toby how much noise ice-cream makers make and then he won’t want one anymore!
pinky
Your post reminded me of this book, which I really enjoyed:
http://www.williamalexander.com/bread/index.cfm
Now I really want to fire up the toaster :-)
Cc
Yay!!!
I love making bread. The girls keep asking me when I’m going to start making sourdough again.
Marilyn
as someone who has a half-eaten bag of boring, old store-bought hamburger buns in her kitchen right now, color me envious. :)
Mary
Those look great! Also, wanted to second Linda’s recommendation for freezing leftover buns and toasting for garlic bread….I do this too!
Have you seen those ice cream maker ball things that you put ingredients in and roll around to freeze? I’ve never tried one so don’t know how the end result tastes but I bet Bug would enjoy the activity. And they come in PINK! :)
Donna
They look soooo yummy!!!
~moe~
You’ve restored my hope that I can make bread! Thanks, SAJ! I’m so excited to try this recipe!
gingermog
Your rolls look super yummy and crusty. I wish I could taste them nom nom nom spread with butter and jam. I am very lucky and have a husband who bakes loaves of succulent, crustiness on a semi regular basis. Home made breads the best.
I love Ratatouille as well. I just love the way it looks and your being gamine Parisian loving girl I’m not surprised you love the film too.The concept art is amazing! I’ve been lucky enough to spend this past week in France. I almost got lost due to getting on the wrong train but was rescued by an Angelic French lady. Phew!
BeachMama
LOVE those!