Buttermilk Dinner Rolls and Pom Yogurt Breakfast

12.8.10

I like this time of year.
With all the decorations, Christmas light displays, and cold weather touching my cheeks, all together it brings a smile to my face. I get to wear my winter boots, hat, scarf, gloves, and a warm jacket. Walking to see decorated houses with the hubs and Bella is such a blessing. You hear laughing from people around you and all the wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree. How could you not love it, right?

This year I made Keith give me his wish list. I swear finding a perfect gift for him is more challenging than taking the GMAT test. He doesn't tell you anything. Even his own mother is facing a challenging time. Every time I ask, he only says, "I don't know. I don't want anything". You have to think strategically and logically to find out. He wants something like a new car and such - which is impossible - and I thought to myself "kick my ass".

When he gets a gift and he likes it, he will say something like "Oh, I wanted this". Then, why didn't you tell us? Sigh. Men.

Anyway leaving that story aside, although it's cold outside, walking into a warm cozy home can change your mood. By that I mean, happy. The smell of food or baking fills the house. Ummm...yeah...

I found this dinner roll recipe in a Cooking Light magazine. It looks easy and delicious. So I gave it a try. I actually made it twice. The first batch, I made the rolls smaller size by half to make a mini burger for catering. The second batch is for us and friends. They turn out great except that the second batch I left them in the oven with the heat off and they were sort of a little overbaked. However, all that matters is the taste right? hehe. These rolls are perfect for Christmas dinner too.

First batch for mini burgers

Buttermilk Dinner Rolls

Adapted from Cooking Light
Yield: 18 rolls

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups warm buttermilk (100 to 110 F)
2 tbs sugar
1 tbs honey
1 package dry yeast
3 tbs butter, melted and divided
1 tsp salt
3 cups AP flour
1 tbs olive oil
2 tbs toasted black sesame seeds (optional)

Directions:

• Combine buttermilk, sugar, honey in a bowl. Sprinkle yeast over milk mixture and let stand about 3-5 mins until it's "foamy". 
• Stir in 2 tbs of butter and salt. Add flour to the wet mixture. Beat at low speed. If you have a stand mixer, change the hook to dough hook and beat it at low speed. If you have a hand mixer like I do, it's okay to use the beaters that come with it. Beat it at low speed until it's formed an elastic dough and doesn't have a mixture left on the side.
• Dough will be sticky and elastic. In another bowl, coat it with olive oil; swirl to coat. Place dough in the bowl; turning to coat top.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature or in the oven with the heat off for 1 hr, or until doubled in size.
• Punch the dough down on a lightly floured surface. Cut the dough to your preferred size. The recipe calls for 13 balls but I did 18 balls.
• Form the cut dough into a ball one at a time. Let it rise more for another 1 hr.
• Preheat the oven to 375 F.
• Sprinkle black sesame seeds on top of each ball. Bake for 20 mins or until the rolls are golden. Remove rolls from pan; let cool on a wire rack.

The next dish Pom yogurt breakfast. I had Greek yogurt left and Pom juice from Pom Wonderful (I have them for a while but don't get a chance to work on it until now! - I know). I used whatever I have left in the pantry and fridge so you feel free to put anything you like. This is so simple that I'm embarrassed to post. It looks adorable enough to be on IJLMP hehe.

Served with peanut butter banana bread

Pom Yogurt Breakfast

Yield: 2

Ingredients:

1 cup Greek yogurt
3 tbs Pom juice
1 tbs caster sugar (this can be adjusted depending on your preferred sweetness)
1 banana

Cereal or oatrolls
Dried fruit such as cranberries or raisins
Toasted almonds
White chocolate powder

Arrange banana slices in a glass or bowl.

Directions:

• Whisk yogurt, sugar, and pomegranate juice until the sugar is dissolved and combined.
• Peel and slice banana. Arrange them in a prepared bowl or glass. Pour yogurt on top. Add cereals or oat rolls, and more yogurt. Add dried fruit and more yogurt. Top with almonds and chocolate powder.

I'm ready to start the day