Sicilian Panini Buns Recipes

SICILIAN PANINI BUNS

Steps:

• Stir together the water, yeast, and sugar.
• Set aside until the yeast blooms, about 5 minutes.
• Place 3 cups of the flour and the salt in a mixing bowl.
• Add the yeast mixture and the oil, and stir to form a sticky dough.
• Knead, adding the remaining flour a little at a time, until the dough becomes a smooth, elastic ball, about about 5 to 8 minutes.
• If you use an electric mixer, combine the ingredients with the paddle attachment and then change to the dough hook.
• Add the flour, a little at a time, until the dough is smooth and comes away from the sides of the bowl, about 2 to 4 minutes.
• Turn the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a dry cloth or plastic wrap.
• Let rise in a draft free spot until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Once the dough has risen, lift it out and cut into 8 equal balls.
• Shape into flat 5-inch rounds for buns, or 6-inch oblongs for a hero- or hoagie-style rolls.
• Place on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cover with a dry cloth.
• Let rise in a draft free spot for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Gently glaze the buns with the egg and sprinkle with the sesame seeds, if desired.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown.
• Transfer to a cooling rack until ready to use.

ITALIAN-STYLE ROLLS

Steps:

• Place the kneader attachment onto the stand mixer.
• Proof the yeast with 1 teaspoon sugar in 3/4 cup water for 10 minutes or until foamy.
• In the stainless steel mixing bowl place 3-1/2 cups flour, salt, 1 tablespoon sugar and melted butter.
• When the yeast has proofed add to the bowl along with 3/4 cup warm water.
• Start kneading adding in more flour only if needed (total kneading time should take about 8 minutes) do not add in too much flour or the buns will be heavy, when finished kneading the dough should feel soft but semi-sticky and smooth and should stick to your hands only slightly when removing from the bowl.
• Remove the dough to a very lightly flour-dusted surface; cover with clean tea towel and let rest 5 minutes.
• Shape into a ball (the dough will come together nicely after resting).
• Place into a large greased deep glass bowl.
• Cover and let rise for about 60-90 minutes.
• To check if the dough is ready to be punched down, very gently stick two fingers about 1/2-inch into the dough, the dough is ready when the finger marks remain.
• Punch down dough and slice in half.
• Slice each half into 4 even pieces.
• Shape each piece into a round ball.
• Place balls spacing well apart onto a 10 x 15-inch greased baking sheet (2 balls across and 4 balls down).
• Cover and let rise 30-40 minutes.
• Bake at 375 for about 22 minutes or until light golden brown.