Cornmeal Dinner Rolls

Memorial Day weekend. The lockdown is loosening for outdoor gatherings. Mama and Dustin and I had a small dinner on the back porch — grilled chicken, the cornmeal dinner rolls I baked Saturday afternoon, a simple salad. The cornmeal rolls are yeast rolls with a quarter-cup of cornmeal in the dough for slight texture and corn flavor. Total: $1.40 for twelve rolls.

The recipe is below.

Cornmeal Dinner Rolls

Prep Time: 20 min + 1 hr 30 min rise | Cook Time: 20 min | Total Time: 2 hr 10 min | Servings: 16 rolls

Ingredients

• 1 package (1/4 oz) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (110–115°F)
• 1 cup warm whole milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus a pinch for the yeast
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and a pinch of sugar in warm water. Let stand 5–10 minutes until foamy and fragrant.
2. Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, softened butter, egg, and salt. Stir in the yeast mixture until combined.
3. Add the cornmeal and flour. Stir in the cornmeal, then add flour one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. You may not need the full 3-1/2 cups — stop when the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Knead the dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. The cornmeal will give it a pleasant, slightly textured feel.
5. First rise. Place dough in a greased bowl, turn once to coat, and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Shape the rolls. Punch the dough down. Divide into 16 equal pieces and roll each into a smooth ball. Arrange in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.
7. Second rise. Cover and let rolls rise 30 minutes until puffy and touching.
8. Bake. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake rolls for 18–20 minutes, until deep golden on top. Brush immediately with melted butter.
9. Serve warm. Pull apart and serve alongside biscuits and gravy, soup, or anything that deserves real bread on the table.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 175 | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Carbs: 28g | Fiber: 1g | Sodium: 175mg