Sunday, 20 December 2009 08:46 |
Ingedients:
- 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 2 tbs vegetable oil
- 1 tbs sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp honey or barley malt syrup
- 2 large egg whites
- 3 - 3 1/4 cups bread flour (preferably high-gluten)
- 1 tbs water
- coarse salt, and
- caraway seed, for sprinkling
Instructions:
- Sprinkle the yeast over 1/4 cup of the lukewarm water in a small bowl; set aside to proof about 5 minutes.
- Combine the remaining 3/4 cup lukewarm water, the oil, sugar, salt, barley malt syrup or honey, and 1 egg white in a large mixing bowl. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Add 1-1/2 cups of the flour and mix until smooth; add yeast mixture and add in additional 1 1/2 cups flour.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes, until smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky to the touch, adding only as much additional flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking.
- Transfer to a large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside at room temperature to rise until doubled (about an hour).
- Punch the dough down, cover the bowl again, and let the dough rise a second time, for about 30 minutes.
- Return the dough to the work surface and divide it into 6 equal pieces.
- Shape each piece into a smooth round, then flatten the rounds slightly.
- Place on a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet, well spaced to allow spreading.
- Cover loosely with a towel and let rise for about 45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F
- Combine the remaining egg white and the 1 tablespoons water in a small dish and blend.
- Brush the rolls lightly with the egg white wash.
- Score 4 crescent-shaped slits into each roll with a very sharp knife, radiating out from the center.
- Sprinkle the rolls with the coarse salt and caraway seeds and sprinkle with water.
- Bake for 5 minutes.
- Quickly open the oven door, sprinkle the rolls again with water, and close the oven.
- Bake the rolls for about 20 minutes more, until browned and crisp.
- Cool the rolls on wire racks.
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