Oh So Comforting ... Garlic Rolls

There is an inviting warmth that exudes from the smell of the tiny confetti of garlic nestled in the folds of soft spirals of bread - and warmth is exactly what these Garlic Rolls spell for me. 

This is one of the first few recipes I tried baking a couple years back. Sadly, this blog was not into existence then and so I never got down to sharing it -until today.

I have this dream of baking fine bread some day - and these rolls are just an expression of the kind of baking I would want to do some day - for all the rest of the days of my life.

The beauty of these garlic rolls is ease with which anyone can put them together - one does not need to be a professional or an expert at all ! However there are two essentials you must have ...

The love of baking

The love for garlic 

I have both (in good measure) - and it's no understatement to say that these garlic rolls are a fruit of too (read TWO) much love!

Here is how you can make them.

Ingredients

For the dough

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp yeast

1 tbs sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbs olive oil

1 cup warm water ( you might not use all of it)

For the garlic spread
3 tbs butter (salted)
7-8 cloves of garlic
2 green chillies
4 tbs coriander leaves

PS: if you are using unsalted butter, add 1/4 of a tea spoon of salt to the garlic spread additionally

Dissolve the yeast in some warm water and 1 tbs sugar and keep aside to activate in a warm place. The yeast if ready to use when it forms a layer of froth on the surface.

In a bowl, mix the flour and salt and add the yeast to it. Mix together to form a sticky dough with the warm water. The dough will be a little sticky to touch and applying a little oil to your hands helps in the kneading.

Roll the dough into a ball, apply some olive oil to the surface and set aside to rise in a bowl covered with a damp kitchen towel.

Once the dough doubles in volume (takes around 45 minutes depending on the quality of yeast), push it down with your fists and knead lightly and let it rise again for 10 minutes.

In the mean time prepare the garlic butter.

Crush together the garlic, green chillies and coriander leaves.

Add the butter to this and mix together well till incorporated.

Divide the dough into two parts and roll it into a rectangle / circle around 1 cm thick.

Spread the garlic butter on to the surface evenly.

Roll it into a cylinder and cut into eight pieces.

Arrange onto a baking tray and leave to rise again for 15 minutes.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200 degree Celsius for 25 mins or until they are lightly browned on the surface.

Savour these garlic rolls warm, with a steaming cup of tea or coffee.