Burger and hot dog buns

Ingredients:
All purpose flour- 4 cups,

Salt- 1tsp,
Sugar-  1tbsp,
Fast action dried yeast- 1 packet,
Luke warm water-1/2 cup.
Full cream milk- 1 cup,
Nutralite butter- 2 tbsp,
Egg -1,
Honey- 2 tbsp.

Egg wash- 1 egg lightly beaten with 1tsp of water,
Seasme seeds- 2 to 3 tbsp,
Butter- to brush the buns.

Note:
Kneading the dough can be done by just mixing the dough in a bowl with a wooden spoon,till it is sticky then transferring the dough to a floured counter and kneading by hand till the dough is smooth and not sticky.
Or the whole process can be done using a dough hook attachment in a dough machine.
 Kneading by hand does not produce the same result as the machine does.The looks are the same but the only difference is the texture.
I have tried kneading by hand and also binding the dough just for a minute in a mixer.
Lookwise both are same but the texture you get when the dough is run in a machine is slightly different.
The buns are more light and airy.
A little extra cleaning but it`s worth it!


Method:
Heat milk in a saucepan in low heat.

Add butter and as butter melts close the heat.

Let it come to luke warm.
Add yeast and sugar to 1/2 cup luke warm water.
Stir with a spoon till sugar dissolves.Leave it for 10 minutes to foam up.

Sieve flour and salt in a bowl and keep aside.

When the milk mixture is luke warm,add honey and egg.

Stir with a spoon.
Pour the foamed yeast mixture,milk mixture and 2 cups of flour.

Run the mixer for few seconds in low speed.
Add 1/2 cup of flour.

Run the mixer in low speed for 25 seconds.
Add another 1/2 cup flour and run the mixer for 30 seconds.

The dough will be very sticky.

Remove the blade.
Spread the leftover 1 cup of flour on the counter and transfer the sticky dough on it.

Knead the dough using all the flour on the counter.

If the dough is still sticky add more flour on the counter and knead for 10 minutes.

The dough will be smooth and not sticky to the counter.

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl.
You can use butter or olive oil.
Coat the dough evenly with oil.

Cover with damp cloth and keep in warm place to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

After the dough has risen,make few punches to let the air out.

Turn the dough on the counter, lightly floured with flour.

Fold the dough into a log and with a cutter cut into 10 equal sizes ( approximate)
 8  for burger  and 2  for hot dog buns.

Cover with cloth so they do not dry.

(Keep some flour on your counter and use only if you need)
Take each dough ,and pull from sides to make a smooth top and pinch them down.

Put them on the counter and cupping with your fingers circle or move the dough into round balls till the surface is smooth.

Keep each dough ball on a greased butter paper leaving few inches apart.
Lightly press each ball to flatten them.

Lightly brush with butter and put a towel on it.

Leave it rise for 45 minute ( double in size ).

Hot dog buns: 2

Spread the dough patting with your fingers into 6 x 4 inches rectangle.

Starting with the longer side,roll up lightly to the end.

Pinch the end and put the seam side down.

 Tuck and fold the sides.
Place them on a greased baking tray lined with butter paper.
Brush with butter and cover.

Leave to rise for 20 to 25 minutes.

Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake for 20 to 24 minutes or till light brown.

Pre heat oven to 350 or 180 C.
Once the buns have risen,brush with egg wash  and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Bake the buns for 20 to 24 minutes.
Turn the tray half way for even baking.
Put the tray on wire rack to cool.

Brush the buns with butter and then cover with a towel.

Let it cover for 5 minutes.
Remove the baking tray by sliding the butter paper with the buns to the wire rack.
Cover the buns for another 15 minutes.

( you cover the buns with a towel to keep the buns soft )
Once cool,you can enjoy the home baked burgers and hot dog buns by filling them with your choice of spread,greens,suasages and ham.
Store in a plastic bag to keep them soft.

Makes 8 burger buns and 2 hot dog buns.