Parker House Rolls

I would have to say one of the most delicious foods to me is fresh, warm, homemade bread. Nothing you can buy compares. I made a batch of these rolls yesterday to include in a meal I delivered to a friend who just had her fourth baby. I had plenty to give to her, our next door neighbor and save a few for ourselves. They were delicious and easy to make. And my house smelled heavenly.

Ingredients

1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
3 eggs
6-3/4 to 7-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the shortening, sugar and salt. Stir in boiling water. Cool to 110°-115°. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add yeast mixture, eggs and 3 cups flour to shortening mixture; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 90 minutes.
Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll dough to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut with a 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter. Fold circles in half; press edges to seal. Place 2 in. apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45-60 minutes.
Bake at 400° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Brush with butter. Serve warm. Yield: 3 dozen.

Note: anytime bread dough needs to rise I always set my oven to 145 degrees and let it heat for about 15 minutes. Then I turn the oven off and let the dough rise in the oven. Portland is not known for its warm climate so this is always effective.

2 comments on “Parker House Rolls

  1. Oh my stars!!! These WERE heavenly. Your meal was out of this world. I even video taped your food. It was that amazing. It’s a meal I’ll never forget. Will you be sharing the pot roast/ mashed potato/ carrots/ strawberry shortcake with whip cream recipe?? The roast just melted in my mouth… and the potato, well, I just couldn’t stop eating it. The dessert- are you kidding me??!?!?!? The strawberry syrup & the cake & the whip… I just don’t know how you whip up so many delicious items in one day? Well, all that is to say, I so appreciate you and the blessing on our family. May the Lord give back to you ten-fold for the love you pour out onto so many people!

  2. Oh Alice you are SO very nice!!! So glad you enjoyed your meal. I will just tell you what I did for the roast. I seasoned it (chuck roast) with salt and pepper, heated 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan set on medium high and seared it on all sides. I cut up carrots and put them in the bottom of the crock pot. Topped the roast with onion soup mix and water (recipe on back of Lipton Onion Soup Mix). I cooked it on low for 8 hours.
    For the garlic mashed potatoes: quarter red potatoes and put them in large saucepan. Cover with water and heat to boiling. Continue boiling until potatoes are tender… about 20 minutes. In a small skillet, melt 1/4 cup (1 stick) butter. Add 4 cloves of freshly pressed garlic and saute about a minute being careful to not let garlic brown. Mash potatoes with hand masher then add garlic butter, 1/2 cup milk and season with kosher salt and pepper.
    The strawberries I just cleaned, sliced and added 1/4 cup sugar. Then let sit on counter for about an hour to macerate (creates the syrup).
    For the whipped cream I just whipped on full speed a pint of heavy whipping cream, 1/3 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until it becomes whipped cream.
    I will put up the recipe for the shortcakes though. I really love those!!

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