Indian Soft Rolls

Ingredients

• 500 gflour
• 7 gyeast
• 250 mlmilk
• 50 gbutter
• 1 tspfine sea salt

Method

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 500 g flour and 1 tsp fine sea salt. Stir these dry ingredients together to ensure the salt is evenly distributed throughout the flour, which helps in achieving a consistent flavor in the rolls.
2. Warm 250 ml milk gently in a small saucepan over low heat until it is lukewarm. Remove from heat and add 7 g yeast to the milk, stirring gently to dissolve. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is activated.
3. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and salt, then melt 50 g butter and add it to the bowl. Mix the ingredients together using your hands or a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back when pressed lightly with a finger.
4. Place the kneaded dough back into the mixing bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This rising time allows the yeast to ferment, giving the rolls their soft texture.
5. Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into equal portions, about the size of a small lemon, and shape each portion into a smooth ball by tucking the edges underneath. Arrange the dough balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each for expansion.
6. Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). While the oven is heating, cover the shaped rolls with a cloth and let them rise again for about 20-30 minutes until they are puffy and almost doubled in size. This second rise ensures the rolls are light and airy.
7. Bake the rolls in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. The aroma of freshly baked bread should fill your kitchen.
8. Remove the rolls from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool slightly. Cooling on a rack prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy and allows the crumb to set properly.
9. Serve the Indian Soft Rolls warm with your meal, enjoying their soft, pillowy texture and buttery flavor. These rolls are perfect for sharing at the table, embodying the spirit of Indian home cooking.