Parmesan Herb Rolls

When I was making the cheesy chicken pasta I wanted to have bread with this dish that would compliment the flavor of this dish. I was thinking of the line of garlic bread, but I didn’t have any French bread in the freezer to make garlic bread and I didn’t want to have to make a large batch of bread dough to make loaves of bread.

So I decided to experiment a little. As anyone that follows my blog knows I love to make fresh bread, but the bread I make is usually simple with no frills. When I started thinking about what I would add to my bread I decided that Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning would go deliciously with the chicken pasta.

I decided to make just a basic roll-type bread and then add these two ingredients. The bread turned out so great and we all enjoyed it. I knew as soon as I had the dough made on that it would be a delight; just the smell of the dough had my senses dancing. I even took a sample of the dough to try it and it was very good. Mike loves raw bread dough so I gave him a sample as well, and he said too that it was very good.

The smell of this bread baking in the oven left the house with this delightful aroma. I couldn’t wait to take it out of the oven to sample it. As soon as it came out we cut a roll open, put butter on, and sampled it, I have to say that it was delicious. Even if I say so myself I am quite proud of this bread and that I tried something new, something that I would have not even thought of before my blog.

Parmesan Herb Rolls
1 package yeast
3 to 3 1/2 cups of flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup milk
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1. Combine and mix yeast, 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese.

2. Combine milk, water, and shortening until warm. (Shortening does not have to be melted all the way).

3. Add milk combination to the dry ingredients and mix well. Add egg to this mixture and mix well.

4. Add enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough, just so the dough does not stick to your hands when kneading the dough.

5. Grease the bottom of the bowl with shortening; turn the dough over so that the dough that was on the greased side of the dough is now on the top.

6. Cover and let rise until double, about 45 minutes.

7. Divide dough into 12 pieces and make into balls. (Instead of rolling the dough it is good to pinch the side down and tuck the dough underneath the ball, this will make a nice smooth and neat bun). Place each ball onto greased cooking sheet and cover for about 1/2 hour.

8. Bake at 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.  While the rolls are baking combine the melted butter and garlic powder. Once the rolls are done baking brush the rolls with the garlic melted butter.