Ingredients
- Dough Ingredients:
- 3 to 3 1/2 cups bread flour (I used 3 1/4C)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 package instant yeast (rapid rise – not active)
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup 2 tablespoons warm water
- Topping Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/8 teaspoon dried basil
Preparation
Step 1
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or large bowl), combine dry ingredients for the dough. Start with only 3 cups of bread flour, reserving more for later if necessary. With the mixer set on low, begin adding the wet ingredients to the dry. Continue mixing until a nice ball forms that isn’t too sticky. Mine was still sticking to the bottom and sides of the bowl at bit with just 3 cups of flour so I began adding slightly more until a ball had formed. I ended up using just under 3 1/4 cups of bread flour for this dough, but as with most doughs that could change depending on the weather so play it by ear.
Spray a large bowl with olive oil or your favorite baking spray. Toss dough into the bowl and flip so all sides of the dough are coated. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm location for an hour or until doubled in size.
Prep a baking sheet with a silpat or sheet or parchment paper, set aside. Using clean kitchen shears, cut dough into ten equal portions. I opted for cutting the dough in half and then down from there. Trim larger pieces and distribute extra as necessary to make the portions as similar in size as possible.
Grease hands well with olive oil prior to rolling out each portion of dough. Trust me. I started with dry hands and then decided to work with greased hands, it worked so much better.
Starting with one piece of dough, roll a long rope or snake – roughly 10 inches long or so. Tie into a knot.
Take the under tail and fold into the center of the top.
Take the remaining piece that is hanging over the top and fold that down into the center of the bottom.
Transfer to your prepared baking sheet. Continue process with remaining portions of dough. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for 45 minutes or until puffy.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl add freshly minced garlic, 3 tbsp butter and seasonings. Pop in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until butter is fully melted. I perfer this method because it helps slightly infuse the butter with the garlic flavor. Brush seasoned butter over the top and sides of each roll.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until just slightly golden. They will be extremely soft to the touch. Do not overcook. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Feel free to eat the extras that don’t fit on one cooling rack, you’ll want to.
Serve warm or store in an airtight container for several days.