Aniseed Yeast Roll Food

RYE TWISTS WITH ANISE, FENNEL AND ORANGE

Steps:

• Place aniseed and fennel seeds in self-sealing plastic bag; close bag. Using mallet, pound seeds until coarsely crushed.
• Place warm water in large bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Sprinkle yeast over and stir to blend. Let stand until yeast dissolves, about 10 minutes. Mix 1/2 cup molasses and oil into yeast mixture.
• Stir 3 1/2 cups bread flour, whole grain rye flour, orange peel, salt and crushed aniseed and fennel seeds in large bowl to blend. Add to yeast mixture. Beat mixture at medium speed until firm but sticky dough forms, about 4 minutes. Turn dough out onto floured work surface; knead until smooth and elastic, adding more bread flour as necessary if dough is sticky, about 8 minutes.
• Form dough into ball. Oil large bowl. Add dough to bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, then kitchen towel. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Sprinkle 2 baking sheets generously with cornmeal. Punch down dough. Turn dough out onto floured surface; knead 3 minutes. Divide dough into 16 equal portions. Cut each portion into 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece into 8-inch-long rope. Grasp 2 ropes at each end and twist ropes together, making about 4 turns. Pinch twisted ropes 1 inch from each end. Place twist on prepared sheet. Repeat forming of twists with remaining dough pieces. Cover with kitchen towels. Let rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
• Position 1 rack in center and 1 rack in top third of oven; preheat to 375°F. Brush tops of rolls lightly with 2 tablespoons molasses (do not allow molasses to drip onto sheets under rolls). Sprinkle rolls with additional aniseed and fennel seeds. Bake until rolls are golden and sound hollow when tapped on bottom, switching top and bottom baking sheets halfway through baking, about 20 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool. Serve warm or at room temperature. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Wrap in foil and freeze. If desired, rewarm thawed wrapped rolls in 350°F oven about 10 minutes.)

PERUVIAN - PAN DE ANIS - ANISE BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Place aniseed in a pot with the water and bring to boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let cool to lukewarm.
• Add the yeast, aniseed water including the seeds and sugar to the bowl of standing mixer and let rest 5 minutes. Then add the flour, the shortening or butter and the salt and mix on low speed with the dough hook attachment until well blended.
• Slowly add the bread flour and continue to knead. Knead dough for about 5 minutes, (you can also knead it by hand if you prefer) until it is smooth and elastic and pulls away smoothly from the sides of the bowl.
• If the dough seems sticky you may add a couple more tablespoons flour .
• Place the dough in an oiled bowl and let rise for one hour.
• Punch down the dough and separate it into golfball size pieces (about 35 grams). Roll each piece into a ball, cover balls with plastic wrap and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Flatten each ball into an slighly oval shape, about 3 inches wide and 4-5 inches long, using a rolling pin if necessary. Starting at one end of the oval, roll dough up into a spiral. Place seam side down on a baking sheet.
• Mix 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush tops and sides of rolls with egg mixture. Let rolls rise in a warm place for a half hour.
• Bake rolls for 12 - 25 minutes, at 375 degrees until they are golden brown.
• They may be served warm or at room temperature.

ANISE SEED ROLLS

Steps:

• Pour the milk into a pan, and heat just until bubbles form around the edge of the pan. Remove from heat and cool to lukewarm (110 degrees F/45 degrees C).
• Dissolve yeast in 1 cup lukewarm (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) water. Allow to rest 5 minutes.
• Beat the shortening with the sugar, eggs, salt, and anise seeds in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the milk and yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the flour, stirring to make a soft dough (dough should not be sticky). Add more flour if needed. Cover bowl with a clean cloth, and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Lightly grease 2 baking sheets. Punch down dough, divide into two pieces, and roll out each piece into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into 8x1 inch strips. Twist each strip into a simple knot, and place on prepared baking sheet. Cover with a clean cloth, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Pour 1 quart water into a pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Dip each roll quickly into the boiling water, and return to baking sheet.
• Bake rolls in preheated oven until tops are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.