Best Pancito Potosí Rolls Recipes

PANCITO POTOSí: BAGUETTE

Steps:

• Starter: Also called pre-ferment, levain, or poolish (which contains commercial yeast, as in this starter), this is the leavening or rising component of the bread. Turn on a digital scale and weigh your empty container. Deduct the weight of the container by pressing the "tare" function, which resets the scale to zero. Add water to the container, then the pinch of yeast. Tare to zero again and add the correct amount of flour to the water and yeast. Use a chopstick to stir the starter until the dry and wet ingredients are just mixed. Cover the container with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, for 10-16 hours, but optimally 12 hours.
• Dough: Place container with starter onto the scale and tare to zero; then add water around the edges of the container and use a rubber spatula loosen the starter. Empty contents into a bowl and use a sturdier wooden spoon to mix, so there are fewer lumps. Stir in pinch of yeast. Then add white flour, rye flour, and salt. Using a wooden spoon, and starting in the middle of the bowl, slowly stir to the edges until most of the flour has been mixed in and hydrated. Dough will look shaggy, with some flour still visible in the bowl.
• Roll and Tuck: A technique to develop gluten in the dough so it becomes firmer and easier to work with. This is done one time, followed by a resting period. Using a plastic bowl scraper, push the dough and residual flour out of the bowl onto a clean work surface. If there are any dry bits, pile them on the center of the dough so they get absorbed. Use the scraper to stretch the dough into a rectangle (dough will still be slightly shaggy); then, starting at one end, roll and tuck the dough like a tube, about 3-4 times around. Flip the dough so it's seam-side up; then flatten again to a rectangle so that the seam runs from left to right. Repeat rolling and tucking, always returning to a seam-up position, and continuing to pile any loose bits of dough onto the center to be absorbed. (When the dough feels firm enough and is no longer sticky, set the scraper aside and use only your hands.) Continue rolling and tucking the dough until the dough feels stronger and begins to resist any further rolling, about 10 times. All of the flour will get absorbed into the dough during this process. Shape the dough into a ball and place into a bowl coated with nonstick spray. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature, 45 minutes.
• Stretch and Fold: This technique strengthens the dough by folding it over onto itself. This process is done twice, with a resting period after each stretch and fold. Combine 1 part fine semolina with 5 parts unbleached white flour to make dusting flour, and lightly dust the work surface and your hands. Release the dough from the bowl (being gentle to avoid tearing!) and place on the work surface. Flip back and forth (like pizza dough), and gently shape it into a rough rectangle. Fold the dough in thirds, like a letter. Pat it down slightly, then do the same fold in the other direction. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature, 45 minutes. For the second and final stretch and fold, repeat the steps for the first stretch and fold. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature, 20 minutes.
• Shaping/Fermentation (Proofing): Shape the dough to prepare it for baking, then ferment (proof) it in the refrigerator to expand the dough and develop flavor. Using a bench scraper, divide the dough into 2 equal pieces; it's a good idea to weigh them so they're the same size. Lightly dust your hands with dusting flour and roll each ball into a 6-inch log. Flatten slightly to press out some of the gas. Fold the top edge horizontally to meet the bottom edge, similar to the roll and tuck method in step 3. Press against the seam and roll several times until the dough is about 12 inches long, using a bit more pressure on the ends to taper them. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a cloth towel and dust with dusting flour. Arrange baguettes seam side up on the towel-lined pan in 2 rows. Fold the towel to create support ridges along the length of the baguettes. Lightly cover with another towel, and place in refrigerator to ferment, 12-16 hours.
• Preheating Oven/Baking: Heat the cast-iron skillet while the oven is preheating. By filling the skillet with ice just prior to baking, you will create an optimal environment to steam the bread, resulting in a crispy crust and tender interior. Place cast-iron skillet on the bottom of a cold oven and place baking stone on lowest rack. Preheat oven to 460 F (preferably convection) for 1 hour. Remove baguettes from refrigerator and and test dough for baking by gently pressing; it should bounce back, leaving a slight dimple. Gently lift and roll baguettes (one at a time) from the linen liner onto the transfer peel. Then, transfer to the baking peel. Using a lame or razor blade, score the top of each baguette; this will create a controlled place for the gas to escape, thus preventing blow-outs. Make about 9 scores, at an angle, on top of each baguette, evenly spaced in the middle with a finger space on either side. Place baguettes directly on the preheated baking stone in the oven. Carefully fill skillet with about 2 cups of ice cubes. Close oven door and lower temperature to 440 degrees F. Bake until tops are lightly browned, 18-20 minutes.
• Cooling, Serving, and Storing: Using the baking peel, remove baguettes from the oven and cool completely, about an hour. Baguettes are best eaten the day they're baked, but can be stored in a paper bag for up to 24 hours.

CRUSTY PORTUGUESE ROLLS (PAPO SECOS)

Steps:

• 10 minutes before you are ready to bake these rolls, place a deep baking tray filled with water on the bottom shelf of the oven and set the oven to preheat to 190°C / 375°F.
• Place the lukewarm milk and water into a jug and stir in the instant yeast and the sugar.
• Place the bread flour, butter and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl if you are going to knead by hand).
• Pour the milk mixture into the flour - the yeast will have already started to foam.
• Turn on the stand mixer and mix for about 2 minutes on a low speed until the dough comes together and all the flour has been incorporated. Then turn up the speed to medium and leave for another 5 minutes.
• If mixing by hand - mix the liquid and flour together with a flat-bladed knife until well combined. Then knead the dough for at least 10 minutes. You may have to add a little extra flour if the mixture is too sticky.
• Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and leave in a warm place for 1 hour until the dough has doubled in size.
• Punch the dough down and then form into a flat disk and place on a well-floured work surface.
• Divide the dough into 12 equally-sized pieces, then roll each piece into a ball.
• Flatten each ball slightly and press the side of your hand into the dough to form a deep indentation. Bring the two sides of the dough up and then press each end together to seal (see post for an illustration on how to do this.).
• Place the rolls a few centimeters apart on a lightly floured non-stick baking sheet.
• Cover the tray with a clean cloth and leave for another hour to proof. The rolls should double in size.
• Brush the top of the rolls lightly with milk and place the baking tray in the pre-heated oven. Bake for 20 minutes until the rolls are golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool, uncovered.

POTATO PAN ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat water and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat until smooth. Stir in mashed potatoes and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 16 pieces. Shape each into a ball. Place in two greased 8- or 9-in. cast-iron skillets or round baking pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Preheat oven to 400°. Sprinkle tops of rolls with additional flour. Bake until golden brown, 18-22 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks.

EASY POTATO ROLLS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in 2/3 cup warm water. In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, sugar, shortening, eggs, salt, remaining 2/3 cup water, yeast mixture and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough., Do not knead. Shape into a ball; place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch down dough; divide into thirds. Divide and shape 1 portion into 15 balls; place in a greased 9-in. round baking pan. Cover with a kitchen towel. Repeat with remaining dough. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°., Bake rolls until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.

QUICK AND EASY PANCIT

Steps:

• Place the rice noodles in a large bowl, and cover with warm water. When soft, drain, and set aside.
• Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until soft. Stir in chicken cabbage, carrots and soy sauce. Cook until cabbage begins to soften. Toss in noodles, and cook until heated through, stirring constantly. Transfer pancit to a serving dish and garnish with quartered lemons.

HOMEMADE PAN ROLLS

Steps:

• Mix 2 cups of the flour, the sugar, shortening, salt and yeast in medium bowl. Add warm water, warm milk and egg. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead about 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl and turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place about 1 hour or until double. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
• Grease bottoms and sides of 2 round pans, 9x1 1/2 inches.
• Punch down dough. Cut dough in half; cut each half into 24 pieces. Shape into balls. Place close together in pans. Brush with butter. Cover and let rise in warm place about 30 minutes or until double.
• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Bake 12 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.