side dish

Bready or Not: Cheesy Fantail Rolls

Posted by on Mar 22, 2023 in Blog, Bready or Not, cheese galore, side dish, yeast bread | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Cheesy Fantail Rolls

If you know anything about me, you know I’m all about cheese. These Cheesy Fantail Rolls deliver all that good stuff with cheese in the dough and oozing from between the layers of dough.

Bready or Not: Cheesy Fantail Rolls

I based this on a Bake from Scratch recipe for Parmesan-Gouda Fantails. I’m more flexible about the cheese. Just go with a good melter, or a combination of melters. I did a whole block of Roth Dill Havarti. Another firm cheese with herbs would be great. If you like spice? Go with a spicy blend. Have fun with it.

Bready or Not: Cheesy Fantail Rolls

My other big recommendation is that you don’t use pre-shredded cheese, as it’s coated with preservatives and won’t melt as well. But if that’s all you have, well, it won’t end the world.

Bready or Not: Cheesy Fantail Rolls

Do reserve a block of time for this recipe. Shaping the rolls isn’t hard, but it is fiddly, and it will make a mess on your counter or table. However, that effort is well worth it, because these rolls are gorgeous and delicious.

Bready or Not: Cheesy Fantail Rolls

These rolls are a bit fiddly to form, but wow, the end result is both gorgeous and delicious. Have fun trying this with different cheeses. Modified from Bake from Scratch Bread 2018.
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Keyword: cheese, yeast bread
Servings: 12
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • stand mixer
  • microwave
  • 12-cup muffin pan
  • pastry brush

Ingredients

  • 1 cup light beer room temperature
  • 1 Tablespoon white sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted and divided
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley divided
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 ounces cheese such as cheddar, havarti, or other good melter; shredded

Instructions

  • In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave 1/4 cup beer until it is 105-110-degrees Fahrenheit. (If it overheats, cool it for a few minutes.) Add sugar and yeast, stirring to combine. Let it sit about 5 minutes; it should become foamy. Stir in 6 Tablespoons of melted butter and the remaining 3/4 cup beer.
  • In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mix 2 cups flour, a healthy pinch of shredded cheese, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of dried parsley, and the kosher salt. Add yeast mixture and stir for a minute. Gradually add the remaining 1 cup flour, beating until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. That will be after 3 to 4 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel, and let it stand in a warm place for about 45 minutes.
  • Apply nonstick spray to the wells in a 12-cup muffin pan.
  • Punch down dough and divide it in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll a half into a 12-inch square. Sprinkle half of the grated cheese over the dough. Use a bench knife or pizza cutter to slice dough into 6 equal strips. Stack strips, cheese side up, and cut crosswise into 6 equal pieces. Place each segment of 6 stacked mini strips into a muffin cup. Repeat with remaining dough.
  • Slightly separate and stretch each piece of dough in the cups. Cover with plastic wrap or a towel to rise in a warm spot for 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Preheat oven at 375-degrees, then bake fantails for 20 to 24 minutes, until browned with visible melted cheese.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the remaining 2 Tablespoons butter. Add 1 minced garlic clove and 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley, stirring to distribute. Use a pastry brush to coat each fantail with buttery goodness. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
  • Leftovers should be refrigerated and will reheat beautifully in the coming days. Use an oven or toasted oven, and wrap up the rolls in foil. Add a touch of butter, if desired, to keep them from becoming extra crisp. Heat until warmed.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: Comte Pull-Apart Rolls

    Posted by on Feb 9, 2022 in Blog, Bready or Not, cheese galore, side dish, yeast bread | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Comte Pull-Apart Rolls

    Bread is awesome. Cheese is awesome. Combine them to achieve a special kind of awesome, especially in the case of these Comte Pull-Apart Rolls.

    Bready or Not Original: Comte Pull-Apart Rolls

    These rolls are tender, soft, and inherently savory. They are perfect to go along with roasts.

    Bready or Not Original: Comte Pull-Apart Rolls

    First of all, the cheese. If you live in a cheese-deprived area as I do, Comte may not be available (or is only available at Christmas, sigh) or is prohibitively expensive. Really, you can use any cheese you like here, but I advise using one with a savory note. Another alpine cheese or a bandage-wrapped cheddar would do the trick.

    Bready or Not Original: Comte Pull-Apart Rolls

    My recipe is based on one featured in the Nov/Dec 2018 issue of Bake from Scratch. I made significant modifications, the foremost being that I halved the recipe so that it would only produce 12 rolls.

    Bready or Not Original: Comte Pull-Apart Rolls

    This recipe isn’t as fussy as some homemade rolls, but it still takes some time and effort. I was very worried because my first rise was so low, but my rolls rose beautifully once they were formed. That’s the rise that really matters!

    Bready or Not Original: Comte Pull-Apart Rolls

    If you want to give your second rise a boost, use this trick: preheat your oven at 200-degrees. Shape your rolls or bread. Stick the dough in the oven without any plastic wrap or cover. Immediately turn the oven OFF. Set a timer for 30 to 40 minutes or longer; this will depend on the oven, so experiment. Once the bread has nicely puffed from the heat, remove it from the oven, then preheat it again for the full bake.

    Bready or Not Original: Comte Pull-Apart Rolls

    These rolls can be eaten at room temperature or warm, but for me, they really are far better hot. I want them to melt butter!

    Bready or Not Original: Comte Pull-Apart Rolls

    This recipe makes 12 hearty, soft rolls that are perfect to go along with a special meal! If you can’t find Comte, substitute with another alpine cheese or bandage-wrapped cheddar to achieve that same kind of savory depth.
    Course: Bread, Side Dish
    Keyword: cheese, yeast bread
    Servings: 12 rolls
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • 9×9 pan
    • parchment paper
    • kitchen scale
    • pastry brush

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup warm milk (105-110 degrees F), can substitute half & half
    • 1/2 cup warm water (105-110 degrees F)
    • 1/2 Tablespoon active dry yeast
    • 1 large egg room temperature
    • 2 Tablespoons white sugar
    • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted and divided
    • 1/2 Tablespoon kosher salt
    • 2 3/4 cup bread flour
    • 2 Tablespoons dried parsley or other dried herbs
    • 4 ounces grated Comte cheese 100 grams
    • flaked salt for garnish, optional

    Instructions

    • In a stand mixer, place the warm liquids and yeast. Let stand for about 10 minutes, until the yeast is nice and foamy. Add the eggs, sugar, 2 Tablespoons of melted butter, and salt. Gradually beat in the flour, cheese, and parsley, until everything is well combined.
    • Cover the bowl to let the dough rise for about an hour.
    • Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper cut to crisscross and extend up all four sides. Apply nonstick spray.
    • Lightly flour a surface. Turn out the dough onto it. Use the kitchen scale to weigh the dough. Divide it into 12 equal portions, forming each into a tidy ball. Place in rows within the prepared pan, each roll touching. Cover the pan to let rolls rise for another 40 minutes to an hour.
    • Preheat oven at 375-degrees. Brush rolls with remaining 2 Tablespoons butter and add a sprinkle of flaked salt, if desired.
    • Bake rolls for 13 minutes. Check them. If they are getting quite brown, cover the pan with foil. Bake for another 13 to 15 minutes.
    • Serve rolls at room temperature or warm.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

      Posted by on Jan 19, 2022 in Blog, Bready or Not, cheese galore, quick bread, side dish | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

      Let’s state a truth up front: a visit to Red Lobster isn’t about the seafood. It’s about those Cheddar Bay Biscuits they bring out as an appetizer.

      Bready or Not: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

      I’ve used this recipe for about 10 years now. I posted it on my LiveJournal in the earlier iteration of Bready or Not, but now it’s time to share again with new photos and an easy-to-print format.

      Bready or Not: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

      These biscuits are incredible. Cheesy, crisp, tender. Buttery. I mean, you baste them in butter and seasonings for the final step. You know they will be good.

      Bready or Not: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

      Plus, these keep well in the fridge for days! In a pinch, you can heat them in the microwave, but they are far better warmed in an oven or toaster oven. That way the outside stays crisp and the interior texture stays just right.

      Bready or Not: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

      I bet if you give these a try, they’ll be a reliable side dish bread in your recipe repertoire, too!

      Bready or Not: Cheddar Bay Biscuits

      These biscuits are a copycat of the famous biscuits served at Red Lobster restaurants! Makes 9 big biscuits using a 1/3 measuring cup.
      Course: Side Dish
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: cheese, quick bread
      Servings: 9 biscuits
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • parchment paper
      • pastry brush

      Ingredients

      Biscuits

      • 2 cups all-purpose flour
      • 2 teaspoons baking powder
      • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
      • 1 teaspoon white sugar
      • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
      • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
      • 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
      • 1 cup buttermilk or soured milk*
      • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, melted and cooled

      Topping

      • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
      • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
      • 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven at 475-degrees. Line a big baking sheet with parchment.
      • In a big bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne. Fold in the cheddar cheese.
      • Fold the buttermilk into the dry ingredients, followed by the melted butter, scraping the bottom of the bowl well to make sure everything is mixed in. Grease a 1/3 cup and use that to scoop up portions of dough to place spaced out on the baking sheet.
      • As the biscuits bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until golden brown, prepare the topping. Melt the butter and stir in the garlic powder and parsley. As soon as the biscuits are out of the oven, brush on the topping to cover the nooks and crannies of every biscuit on the pan.
      • Eat right away. Leftovers will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for days. They can be microwaved, but are best warmed in an oven or toaster oven.

      OM NOM NOM!

        Notes

        *To make soured milk, place a few teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar in a cup, and pour in dairy milk or half & half to reach the 1 cup amount. Let sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature so that the mixture curdles, then use in recipe.
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        Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

        Posted by on Nov 3, 2021 in Blog, Bready or Not, cheese galore, pork, quick bread, side dish | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

        The holiday season is nigh, and these Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers are the perfect appetizer for a couple or an entire gang!

        Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

        These really have three ingredients, plus some flour for dusting a counter. They take minutes to assemble. Stash them in the freezer for hours or days. They bake up fast. They make bellies happy.

        Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

        Plus, I daresay, they are downright pretty. I love the layers in puff pastry! Here, those crisp buttery layers are fantastic along with shredded cheese and thin slices of prosciutto.

        Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

        Honestly, these are dangerous. It’s hard to eat just one.

        Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

        However, if you can exercise restraint, the leftovers are delicious. They can be eaten cold (the prosciutto is the prominent flavor then), but are better with a brief warm-up in the oven.

        Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

        Make these your go-to game day, holiday event, or date night treat!

        Bready or Not Original: Prosciutto-Parmesan Palmiers

        This three-ingredient convenient and tasty appetizer can be prepared hours in advance and bakes up fast once company arrives. Plus, if there are any leftovers, they are still delicious!
        Course: Appetizer
        Keyword: cheese, pork, puff pastry
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • parchment paper
        • knife

        Ingredients

        • flour to dust surface
        • 1 sheet puff pastry (half a box) thawed in fridge
        • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan packed
        • 2 to 3 ounces sliced prosciutto

        Instructions

        • Hours or days before baking day: Sprinkle flour on a flat, clean surface. Roll out the puff pastry to make a 12-inch square. Cut in half. Sprinkle cheese over both halves. Place prosciutto slices to completely cover cheese; if there is extra meat, layer on the additional pieces. Roll the short sides of each piece of pastry together to meet in the middle–from the end, it will look rather like a number 3. Repeat this with the other half.
        • Encase both logs in plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least an hour, but as long as several days.
        • Preheat oven at 400-degrees. Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
        • Pull out frozen logs to thaw for just a few minutes. While it is still mostly frozen, slice into 1/4-inch pieces and place spaced out on parchment. (Note that the end pieces may be sparse on filling and not presentable for company, but still worth baking up for private enjoyment.)
        • Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until palmiers are golden brown and puffed. They are best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated. They are okay cold, but better toasted briefly again in the oven.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

          Posted by on Apr 28, 2021 in alcohol, bacon, Blog, boozy, Bready or Not, cheese galore, gluten-free, main dish, pork, side dish | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

          This Pancetta Risotto is a fantastic meal for two people, or a delicious side for a group. It’s time-consuming but very straightforward to make.

          Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

          I confess, I spent years being intimidated by the very idea of a risotto. I would see it done on cooking shows. So much stirring! When I finally got up the gumption to give it a try, I found risotto wasn’t hard at all. It really is about lots of stirring.

          Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

          This recipe here is my fancy occasion recipe, especially when I have some good pancetta on hand, such as the kind carried by Smoking Goose Meatery out of Indianapolis.

          Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

          As for the wine, I’ve tried this with fancier Sauvignon Blanc from Total Wine (Cloudy Bay from New Zealand) as well as a $6 Trader Joe’s Coastal Sauvignon Blanc. Both versions turned out great! You don’t need to go all-out, but get something that is (hopefully) drinkable with the finished meal.

          Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

          Bready or Not Original: Pancetta Risotto

          Homemade risotto requires time standing at the stove, but makes for delicious results. This recipe takes about 45 minutes to an hour to completion, depending on your stove. Note that a small amount of bacon can be substituted for the pancetta, but it is much stronger in flavor and colors the risotto brown.
          Course: Main Course, pork
          Cuisine: Italian
          Keyword: alcohol, cheese, pork, rice
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • large stock pot
          • medium saucepan

          Ingredients

          • 8 oz pancetta diced
          • 1 Tablespoon dried shallots or fresh shallot, finely minced
          • 3 cloves garlic minced
          • 1 1/4 cups Arborio rice
          • 1 cup dry white wine Sauvignon Blanc works well
          • 4 cups chicken broth or chicken stock, equal to a 32 oz box or 2 cans
          • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan or Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano, plus more to top rice
          • salt and pepper to taste

          Instructions

          • In a large stock pot, cook the pancetta for 10 to 12 minutes, until it starts to turn brown and crispy. At the same time, on another stove burner, use a medium sauce pan to bring the chicken broth to a very low simmer.
          • Use a slotted spoon to transfer pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside. Add dry shallots and garlic to the fat in the big pot. Sauté for two minutes. Add the Arborio rice and a pinch of salt. Sauté another 2 minutes, until the rice looks glossy with translucent edges.
          • Add the white wine and stir until it is absorbed. Add chicken broth in 1/2 cup increments, stirring well after each addition until it is absorbed. After about 12 to 15 minutes, when most of the broth has been added, begin to taste the rice. The goal is a chewy, al dente consistency. Add more broth as needed, and remember to turn off the burner for the broth pot when it is empty.
          • When the rice is creamy and al dente, stir in the pancetta and cheese. Taste the risotto again, adding more salt and pepper as needed. Serve with the remaining white wine.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not: Honey Oat Pie with a Cinnamon Pie Crust

            Posted by on Mar 17, 2021 in Blog, Bready or Not, british, cheese galore, quick bread, side dish | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Honey Oat Pie with a Cinnamon Pie Crust

            This is a pie like none I have made before: like a gigantic chewy oatmeal cookie with a spiced crust, embodied with a refreshing zing of whiskey.

            Bready or Not: Honey Oat Pie with a Cinnamon Pie Crust

            This Honey Oat Pie in a Cinnamon Pie Crust will blow your mind in the best of ways. Texture wise, it is moist and chewy without being soggy (be sure to use old-fashioned/rolled oats!).

            Bready or Not: Honey Oat Pie with a Cinnamon Pie Crust

            Flavor-wise, you taste the toasted oats, a wonderful mix of warm spices, and the freshness of the whiskey. There’s only a tablespoon and a half in there but the flavor of the whiskey still comes through.

            Bready or Not: Honey Oat Pie with a Cinnamon Pie Crust

            I used Jameson Irish Whiskey, in keeping with the origins of the original version of the recipe: the July/August issue of Bake from Scratch Magazine, my favorite food magazine these days.

            Bready or Not: Honey Oat Pie with a Cinnamon Pie Crust

            I imagine you can omit the whiskey from the recipe without it being detrimental to the taste or texture, but I haven’t tried that myself.

            This is a great pie to have for breakfast (the alcohol’s effect burns off in baking), or snack, or dessert.

            Bready or Not: Cinnamon Pie Crust

            This basic pie crust comes together quickly and would complement many sweet pie recipes. Mix up, chill the dough for at least an hour (or freeze for much later), and you can form the crust and go from there! This makes enough dough for ONE pie shell. Modified from Bake from Scratch Ireland Issue July/August 2020.
            Course: Breakfast, Dessert
            Cuisine: American
            Keyword: pie
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • food processor
            • pie plate
            • plastic wrap

            Ingredients

            • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
            • 1 1/2 Tablespoons white sugar
            • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
            • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
            • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, cold, cut into chunks
            • 3 Tablespoons ice water plus more if needed

            Instructions

            • In a large food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Add the butter pieces. Pulse until they are almond-sized, then add the ice water. Pulse until mixture can form a ball, adding a touch more water if needed to make it cohesive.
            • Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead to shape into a disk. Tightly encase in plastic wrap and let chill in fridge for at least an hour, or up to a few days. Dough can also be frozen for up to two months.

            OM NOM NOM!

              Bready or Not: Honey Oat Pie

              This rich and chewy nut-free pie is like an oversize oatmeal cookie with a pleasant zing of whiskey. That’s right, whiskey. Modified from Bake from Scratch Ireland Issue July/August 2020.
              Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
              Cuisine: American, irish
              Keyword: alcohol, oats, pie
              Author: Beth Cato

              Equipment

              • pie plate
              • parchment paper
              • pie weights

              Ingredients

              • single-layer pie crust
              • 1 1/3 cups old-fashioned oats also called rolled oats
              • 2/3 cup brown sugar packed
              • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
              • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
              • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
              • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
              • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
              • 1/3 cup honey
              • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Irish whiskey such as Jameson
              • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
              • 4 large eggs room temperature

              Instructions

              • Preheat oven at 400-degrees

              Prepare pie crust

              • Let pie dough soften at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. Lightly flour a surface and roll out dough to a 12-inch circle and transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate. Press into plate to shape, crimping edges as desired. Freeze crust until firm, about 15 minutes.
              • Drape a large piece of parchment paper over pie crust. Fill to the top with pie weights.
              • Bake crust until edges are turning golden, about 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully remove weights and parchment paper.
              • Bake crust an additional 10 minutes to set. Cover the edges with foil if it is getting brown too quickly. Set aside on rack to cool while the filling is assembled.

              Prepare filling

              • Reduce oven temperature to 350-degrees.
              • Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. Place oats in pan.
              • Bake them until they are lightly toasted, about 10 minutes, giving them a stir or two during. Set them aside to cool.
              • Lower oven temperature again, this time to 325-degrees. Move the oven rack to the lower third of the oven.
              • In a big bowl, mix together the brown sugar, salt, ginger, and nutmeg. Add the corn syrup, melted butter, honey, whiskey and vanilla, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl. Add eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition, and end by incorporating the oats until they are coated. Pour everything into the parbaked crust.
              • Bake until the filling is set and slightly puffed, about 40 minutes. Check on the pie about halfway and cover the edges the foil if they are getting too brown. The done pie will register at 200-degrees if checked with an instant thermometer.
              • Let pie cool completely on rack before slicing in. Store covered by foil in the fridge or at room temperature. Keeps for several days.

              OM NOM NOM!

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