Herbed Burger Buns and More

After receiving a bread machine for Christmas over a decade ago, I entered the world of homemade bread.  I used it occasionally for many years, but not routinely until a few years ago.  The machine pays for itself in no time, and I've seen them lately for around $50 or less.

Now I'm hooked trying new bread and roll recipes: from white, to dark Russian rye, artisan loaves, cuban bread, pizza dough, focaccia, or muffins and buns.  I find the whole process creative and rewarding.

It saves so much money using only 2 or 3 cups of flour and a few other basic ingredients, costing $1 or less for bakery quality goodness usually costing $4 to $6 or more.

This recipe makes 6 very large buns. They could easily be shaped smaller for a dozen dinner rolls or 24 slider buns.  If making without a bread machine, use a mixer or make by hand. I use them mostly for burgers, Italian beef sandwiches, or BBQ beef or pork sandwiches.

With those methods: yeast, liquid and sugar are usually combined to foam, added to other combined dry ingredients and kneaded, then left to rise in oiled bowl for an hour until doubled in size before shaping. A machine does all the kneading and first rise, then you take it out and shape for baking.

Herbed Burger Buns
1/3 cup warm water
1/3 cup warm milk
1 egg
1 Tab. butter or margarine
1/2 tsp. salt
2-1/4 cups bread flour, white will work just fine
4 tsps. sugar
1-1/2 tsp. active yeast
2 tsp. Italian herb seasoning
1 egg white, 1 Tab. water
sesame or poppy seeds

Add water, milk, egg, butter, salt, flour, sugar, herbs and yeast to machine according to instructions, and set to dough cycle.  Remove to floured surface. Take out and knead until dough feels elastic, cover and rest 10 minutes before shaping.

Burger with Caramelized
Onions and Blue Cheese

Divide into 6 parts forming into smooth balls. Place on greased baking sheet. Flatten into 4-inch rounds, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Lightly beat egg white with tablespoon of water and brush on buns.  Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds.

Bake 375 for 12-15 min.

Can also be used for hot dog buns by shaping into rolls about 6 -1/2  inches long and tapered ends; or made into smaller buns for sliders; or shaped for hoagie rolls.

Estimated cost $1.00 or less; .16 cents or less per bun.

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