She learned how to make them from her mother as did all of her sisters. She lovingly wrote the recipe out for me before her passing six years ago and to my regret, I cannot locate her handwritten words anywhere. I have found several recipes in cookbooks and online but none matches hers exactly. I am sure the basic ingredients are all the same but the love of family she seasoned her with cannot be duplicated.
This year at Thanksgiving I plan on having my daughters come early so that I can show them what she showed me. There is something about watching the yeast come to life, kneading the dough and anticipating it's rising in a warm spot for a couple of hours, that takes special occasions to a simpler time.
All that being said, there are many times I get a hunger for homemade yeast rolls on an everyday Sunday afternoon. It's usually as I'm peeling potatoes an hour before dinner and there's is just not enough time to wait for the yeast to rise. I happened on this recipe for 30 minute yeast rolls that is pretty darn good. Not as good as the ones my mother in law made but a good substitution in a pinch. The only change I made is that I cut the yeast down to 1 1/2 TBS and I added it to the warm water before the rest of the wet ingredients.
If you've never made yeast rolls before, this might be a good way for you to get your feet wet, I think you'll find them well worth the effort. And if you have a great recipe for the real deal, I'd love to hear it.
xo, Patty
My mother and both grandmothers also prepared homemade yeast rolls! Delicious with homemade strawberry jam! I did not learn to make them, but have discovered unbaked yeast rolls at a Texas chain steak house that take orders for them during the holidays. Both baked and unbaked. They are a wonderful close second and not nearly the work. But memories like you and I have can not be bought!
ReplyDeleteI have a recipe I use that is in an old cookbook. I could almost smell yours. I love it when a certain smell takes you back to a place in time that gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling!!! For me, smelling a charcoal bbq, and smelling a roast cooking in the oven as I walk into my Mom's home after a long afternoon of diving practice when I was a kid. Oh....so lovely to teach your girls and keep the tradition going!
ReplyDeletexo Kris
I LOVE homemade yeast rolls and haven't made any in a long time. I can smell yours from here...and now I am hungry! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI used to be terrified of yeast! One year I declared it the year of yeast (I declare something like that most every year) and I decided to master it. Now most Sundays will find us eating yeast roll with our dinner!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post. Have never heard yeast rolls described that fondly. Makes me see them in a different light. I make yeast rolls from time to time and often at the weekend. Eating them hot so the butter melts, with homemade jam or sliced boiled eggs is such a treat. Fond memories for me are of my dear gran baking muffins. They roze up like little sombreros and tasted like nothing l have ever tasted. Wish l could eat them again! Pam xx
ReplyDeleteYum Patty!! I love anything with the work roll in it.
ReplyDeleteI hardly ever bake bread anymore, but there is nothing like that smell! I just may have to bake some of our favorite honey oatmeal rolls for Sunday dinner this week. Thanks for the inspiration, Patty!
ReplyDeleteHome made rolls, there is nothing better! Are any of your mother-in-laws sisters alive? They moght have the recipe. or they might have passed it down to a daughter?
ReplyDeletemy mother was not a cook thus her daughters do not cook from scratch, at least we didn't. I have become a cook over the years and enjoy baking from scratch. I have not yet tried yeast rolls. You have me intrigued on the idea of trying them and 'teaching' my daughter how to do the same. See how much you inspire me!!
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to make delicious bread and buns. The aroma and taste was always delicious, as I`m sure yours are too.
ReplyDelete-Karen