Hamburger Hot dog buns

This is an excellent recipe for buns if you are going to use them the same day. I stored some in a plastic bag after they were completely cooled. The next day when we used them for hamburger buns they fell apart.  This would make great pepperoni bread.

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 Tbsp. dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm milk
• 4 Tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup melted Crisco ( I used butter Flavor)
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 1/2 -4 cups flour
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp water
• sesame seeds optional
• 1. Proof the yeast in 1 cup warm water with 1 tsp sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
• 2. In a large mixer bowl, with kneader hooks, put 3 1/2 c flour, 4 Tbsp sugar, melted Crisco, warm milk and salt.
• 3. Add the proofed yeast, mix to creat a soft semi sticky dough that holds around the blade, adding in more flour as needed ( don't add too much as it will create a heavy bun, dough should be semi sticky.
• 4.Knead dough on mixer for 7-8 minutes
• 5. Remove dough and let rest on counter, covered with clean dish towel for 10 mins.
• 6. Knead the dough gently with hands for 30 secs.
• 7.Place dough in large well greased/oiled bowl.
• 8. Cover and let rise in warm place for 60-90 minutes or until double in size. ( I let my dough raise in the oven.. preheat oven to 170-200 degrees and then turn off. ) Takes about 1 hour to raise.
• 9. Punch dough down.
• 10. Shape into large balls for hamburger buns or shape like hot dog buns onto a large greased cookie sheet. You should get about 12 large balls.
• 11. Cover with alight clean tea towel, and let rise in warm place for 30-40 minutes or until almost doubled.
• 12. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• 13. In small bowl mix 1 egg wihte and 1 tsp water and mix well
• 14. Carefully brush the tops and sides of buns with egg/water mixture.
• 15. If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds
• 16. Bake 15-22 minutes, or until golden brown.

Flattened Pan- Roasted Chicken

I originally got this recipe from Food Network but I made a couple changes. It is delicious tasting chicken.

Ingredients

1- 5 lb chicken

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 c kosher salt

4 cups hot water

1 onion chopped

2 tsp. black pepper

2 tsp oregano

2 tsp parsley

2 tsp granulated garlic or 2 cloves garlic coarsely chopped

4 cups ice water

3 TBSP olive oil

To prep the chicken:

On a work surface, place the chicken breast side down with the neck facing you. Using kitchen shears, cut along the length of the backbone on both sides and remove. Turn the chicken over, breast side up. Open it on the work surface and flatten the chicken as much as possible with your hands.

In a large metal bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, and hot water until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Add the onion, spices and ice water. Stir well. Add the chicken to the brine, skin side down. Cover and place in refrigerator for 1-3 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Remove the chicken from brine and dry well with paper towels. Set the chicken aside. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil to hot skillet and then place the chicken into the skillet skin side down. Place another heavy pan on the chicken pressing it down to firmly get maximum skin contact with the hot skillet. (I used a large skillet and put a cast iron skillet on top of the chicken). Reduce the heat to medium and cook under weight for 15-20 mins. Once browned, remove the top skillet. Place in oven proof pan/ or dish skin side up. Put in oven and bake 35-40 minutes until meat temp. is 160 degrees. Let the chicken rest 10 minutes.

TOMATO PIE

1 unbaked pie shell
4 large tomatoes-sliced thin and drained-sprinkle with salt and pepper after drained
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
oregano
garlic
6-8 slices fried and crumbled bacon
large onion-sweet or white sliced thinly
3/4 c mayonaise or half mayo and half sour cream
1 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese or mixture of both
Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Brush bottom of pie crust with beaten egg white. Bake 10 mins. Layer onion, tomato, oregano , and cheese. Repeat layer. Spread mayo on top . Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake 30 minutes.

Other suggestions to add-- ham, garlic, basil.