Rosemary Wheat Buns

Hi there!  Feels like I have not been on here in so long!  Not really sure why I have not been posting as much these days.  I guess it's a combination of a few things.  I have been traveling a lot lately!  In the past 3 weeks I have been to Canada, Rochester, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, back to Pittsburgh and now I am back in Canada for a couple weeks.  Phew!  I have been following my hunny around watching him play lacrosse and I finally got my name changed on passport and license with my new married name!  

It's so weird to sign a different last name.  I definitely love having my new name, because it really makes it feel like we have started our own family now!  Jeff probably thinks I am crazy... I have gotten a bunch of return address labels and other things with our name on it.  And I have been doing a lot of crafting lately with all my free time, and I have really liked having a "G" mixed into the decorations around the house.  I will be sharing that craft that I made on here shortly!  

I also have not been baking as much as I usually do.  Normally in the winter, I just want to eat all comfort food (including LOTS of desserts) but I have been trying to not eat as much lately.  I mean, don't get me wrong... I still crave something sweet everynight after dinner.  But I have been starting to feel guilty about eating so much.  I just don't know portion control!  Haha.  

That being said, I have been baking a lot of bread lately!  I really love it.  I love making a fresh loaf of bread or buns for dinner.  There is nothing like fresh bread!  The hubby loves it as well.  And as I have told you, I used to work in a bread bakery.  I am spoiled now and I really only like good, homemade bread the day it is made.  Grocery store bread just doesn't cut it anymore.  I still buy it sometimes, but I have lots of time since I don't work so I love to make it fresh.  Plus, then it is so much healthier and I know exactly what goes into it! 

So, the other night we were having pulled pork for dinner, and I had some rosemary that I bought and had not used yet.  So, I decided to take this recipe for buns, and tweak it a little to make rosemary buns.  I also wanted to try to make them wheat buns.  And for my first time making them, they were delicious!!  So here is the recipe for them.

Rosemary Wheat Buns

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. instant yeast
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 1/3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 egg, beaten for eggwash

Directions:

1. In mixer bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in the warm water.  Let sit for a few minutes and whisk to make sure everything has dissolved.
2. Add oil, salt, rosemary and all purpose flour and mix on medium for 2 minutes.  
3. Add the whole wheat flour and mix on medium for 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and has formed a ball. 
4. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough and cover with a clean dish towel and put in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. 
5. Dump the dough out onto a silpat lined baking sheet and cut into 6 even pieces.
6. Round the pieces into a ball and place on baking sheet about 1 inch apart.  
7. Eggwash and let proof for 30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 375°.
8. Eggwash one more time and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 190° and they are nicely golden brown on top. 

Yeast, sugar and warm water working their magic.

Rosemary chopped finely.

Yeast, sugar, water, oil, salt, rosemary and all purpose flour in mixer bowl.

After the first mix.

After the whole wheat was added and the dough has formed a ball.

Ready to be proofed.

Covered in a warm spot.  I put it on my stove with the light on.

The dough has doubled in size.

Cut into 6 portions.

Rounded and ready to be proofed for a second time.

Proofed, eggwashed and ready to be baked!

Mmm... fresh out of the oven!

The final product!  

I hope you try this recipe.  It is very easy.  Takes a little patience while it rises though!  But so worth it!  Fresh buns for dinner in around 2 hours!  And the ingredients are so simple!  I always have every ingredient on hand (except the rosemary, but you could omit it or add a different herb!).  The possibilities are really endless!

Baking is still my number 1 passion, but I have been really interested in crafting lately, so I will be adding some how to's of the crafts that I will be making.  I hope that you don't mind and stick around for all that I want to share with you!!   

Um... is it just me or has this year and winter been flying by?!?!  It's MARCH!!  

Happy March to you all!  :-)