Super Fast Dinner Rolls

Well, I suppose that fast is subjective here, but compared to the three hours it generally takes to produce a good yeast bread, this is fast.  If you've got an hour, you can have some dinner rolls.  I made these for dinner tonight.  They go with my "Steak House" dinner theme.  We're having grilled steak-seasoned seitan, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and dinner rolls.

Super Fast Dinner Rolls

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
• 2 TBSP vital wheat gluten (this isn't totally necessary, but it sure does help them rise up nice and fluffy and tender)
• 1 TBSP raw sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/4 tsp yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water
• Substitute equal to one egg (or if you aren't vegan, use an egg or Egg Beaters)  I used the ground flax method
• 2 TBSP olive oil

Directions:

1.  Mix one cup flour with sugar, yeast, and salt.

2.  Stir in water, egg substitute, and oil

3.  With electric mixer, beat until bubbly and smooth--and I mean REALLY smooth!  It'll be runny.

4.  Cover with a dish towel and let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.

5.  Stir in remaining flour and vital wheat gluten.

6.  Turn out onto a VERY WELL floured surface and knead for three minutes, until smooth and elastic.  The dough is exceptionally sticky, so you need to flour the surface, and your hands, well, and as you knead incorporate some of that flour into the dough.  (If you need directions on how to properly knead bread, take a look at this.)

7.  Divide dough into 12 pieces and shape into rolls.

8.  Arrange on a greased baking sheet for soft sided rolls or in a greased muffin tin for crusty rolls.

Yup, I know they look pretty small, but I promise they'll get much bigger.  Yes, in only 30 minutes!

9.  Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

You see?  They got so big, they grew together!

10.  If desired mist with olive oil or brush with soy milk.  This step is totally optional.  I misted mine with a bit of olive oil and added a few herbs to the tops of the rolls.

11.  Bake in a 450° oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until just slightly browned.

Enjoy!