Masala buns

You can call them buns or dinner rolls!
I have made these buns without using egg and milk!
The texture is the same for both but the taste is richer if using milk and egg!

I have used egg wash to brush the buns but you can use milk or water!
 Any seasoning can be used of your liking!

Ingredients:
All purpose flour- 3 cups,
Warm water-1 cup or 250 ml(2 to 3 tbsp if needed),
Luke warm water for yeast-1/3 cup,
Yeast -1 packet-7gms,
Sugar-1 tsp,
Butter-2 tbsp,
Salt-1/2 tsp,
Crushed cumin seeds-1 tsp,
Chilli flakes-1/4 tsp,
Green coriander leaves-2 tbsp-chopped,
Oil or butter for coating the buns,
Seasme seeds to sprinkle,
Egg-1 + 2 tbsp of water for egg wash or milk or water.

Note:I have made rolls or buns using both the methods,kneading by hand for 10 minutes and kneading the dough for 3 minutes in high speed in an electric mixer.
Post baking the looks and texture will be the same for the buns,only difference will be the taste! 
Machine kneaded dough is light and airy,while the hand kneaded dough is slightly heavy.
I know kneading the dough in a mixer is a little messy as the dough tends to rise up in the beater.But the end result is very satisfying!( for best result use kitchen aid machine)
Only thing important is that the dough has to be very sticky once the dough is kneaded.
If you plan to knead by hand then knead the dough for 10 minutes using little flour and then leave to rise!

Method:
Heat 1/3 water for 10 seconds in microwave for dissolving the yeast.
If too cold or too hot,the yeast will not rise.
The water has to be luke warm.
Add one packet of yeast and 1 tsp of sugar to the luke warm water.

Stir the sugar with a spoon and leave for 5 minutes for the yeast to foam up.

Warm the water for kneading the dough and then add 2 tbsp of butter.

Let the butter melt.
Take a bowl and add flour,salt,crushed cumin seeds,chilli flakes,and chopped green coriander leaves.

Mix and keep aside.
Take your mixer bowl and put 2 cups of flour and pour 3/4 cup of luke warm water and butter mixture.

Beat on low speed for 30 seconds.
Add the yeast and beat on high for 3 minutes.

After 3 minutes add the rest of the flour and warm butter water mixer beat till all the flour is incorporated.
If the dough is still dry then add few tbsp of warm water.

The dough should be very sticky.

Grease another bowl with butter or oil and place the dough in it.
Toss and turn the dough in the bowl to evenly coat the dough with butter or oil.

Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and keep it in a warm place(oven or microwave).

Leave it for an hour for the dough to rise double in size.

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

Dust your counter with flour.
Transfer the dough on the counter.

Lightly fold the dough and make a log to divide the dough into 8 equal parts.

Take each ball and pull the dough from all sides to make the top part of the ball smooth.

Pinch the ends at the bottom and then turn.

Place the ball on the counter and cupping it with your palm make round balls.

Place the balls in the tray lined with greased butter paper leaving space in between for the dough to rise.

Brush the balls with butter or oil.
Cover with a damp cloth and leave to rise for 30 minutes.

After 15 minutes pre heat the oven to 200 C.
Once the dough has got the second rise,brush the balls with egg wash or milk or water.
Sprinkle seasme seeds on top and bake the buns for 25 to 30 minutes or until light on top.

Take out the tray and place it on wire rack.
Brush the buns with butter and cover with a cloth. 

Holding the butter paper with the buns,remove the tray.
Cover the buns with a cloth or towel,as it makes the buns soft.
Once the buns are slightly warm remove it from the butter paper and leave to cool on wire rack. 

Let it be covered with the cloth.
Store the buns in a zip lock bag or plastic to keep the buns soft.
Since it is masala buns,the sooner it is consumed,the better.
Enjoy the fresh  home baked  masala buns with a spread of butter.
You can use these buns as a burger with any filling of your choice!
Makes 8 buns!