Edys Braided Rolls Food

EDY'S BRAIDED ROLLS

Steps:

• Lightly butter a medium bowl; set aside. In a small measuring cup combine the warm water and yeast, and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Pour into a medium bowl. Add milk, sugar, butter, egg, salt, and 2 cups flour. Stir until smooth. Add just enough (at least 1 1/2 cups) of the remaining flour to make a dough that is easy to handle.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in buttered bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.
• Line two baking sheets with Silpats baking mats; set aside. Punch down dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cut into two pieces, cover one piece with plastic wrap. Roll out remaining piece into a rectangle, about 14 inches long and 6 inches wide. Cut crosswise into 10 rectangles a little less than 1 1/2 inches wide and 6 inches long.
• Working with one rectangle at a time, make 2 lengthwise cuts, starting about 1/2 inch from one end, dividing the rectangle into three narrow strips. Braid the three strips together, pinching both ends to seal. Transfer to a prepared baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining dough. Brush braids with melted butter. Cover lightly with plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm spot until doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake rolls until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

EASY BREAD ROLLS

Steps:

• Tip the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and oil into a bowl. Pour over 325ml warm water, then mix (with a spatula or your hand), until it comes together as a shaggy dough. Make sure all the flour has been incorporated. Cover and leave for 10 mins.
• Lightly oil your work surface and tip the dough onto it. Knead the dough for at least 10 mins until it becomes tighter and springy - if you have a stand mixer you can do this with a dough hook for 5 mins. Pull the dough into a ball and put in a clean, oiled bowl. Leave for 1 hr, or until doubled in size.
• Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a long sausage shape. Halve the dough, then divide each half into four pieces, so you have eight equal-sized portions. Roll each into a tight ball and put on a dusted baking tray, leaving some room between each ball for rising. Cover with a damp tea towel and leave in a warm place to prove for 40 mins-1 hr or until almost doubled in size.
• Heat the oven to 230C/210C fan/gas 8. When the dough is ready, dust each ball with a bit more flour. (If you like, you can glaze the rolls with milk or beaten egg, and top with seeds.) Bake for 25-30mins, until light brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the base. Leave to cool on a wire rack.