Parker House Rolls and Lover Man

Homemade rolls are the best, aren't they?  My mom and I made this family roll recipe recently.  They are our family recipe for Parker House Rolls.

The first rendition I ever heard of "Lover Man" was played by Charlie Parker, the great jazz saxophonist.  I loved it!  So the music-food connection today is Parker House Rolls to Charlie Parker.

I have to include in this blog, though, the haunting interpretation of "Lover Man" sung by Billie Holiday.  So for today, you get two for one!  How great is that?!

CHASTON PARKER HOUSE ROLLS

1 cup butter

2 cups milk

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

2 eggs

1/3 cup warm water

5 teaspoons yeast

1 teaspoon salt

8 cups flour

In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/3 cup warm water, and yeast.  Stir.  Set aside until it gets frothy.

Put butter in microwave until almost melted, not hot.  In a saucepan, warm up the milk slightly.  Do not boil or even let get hot.

In a large bowl combine melted butter, milk, and 2/3 cup sugar.

Add eggs and beat until smooth.

Add 3 ½ cups of flour to the milk mixture.  Beat on low until dough is stretchy. 

Add yeast mixture.  Beat on low until smooth.

Add remaining 2 cups of flour and beat with mixer until dough is stretchy.  Stir in remaining 2 ½ cups of flour until smooth.  Dough is quite moist.  If too tacky to handle, add ½ cup flour.  Knead in and shape dough into a ball, scraping loose dough off sides of the bowl.

Put a piece of waxed paper over the bowl then place a clean, dry cloth over the waxed paper.  Set bowl in a warm place.  Let rise until double. 

Divide dough in half.  On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness.  Using a round cookie cutter cut circles out of dough.  Fold in half, pinching once at rounded edge.  Place on greased cookie sheet, not touching but close to each other.

Let rise about 45-60 minutes.  Bake at 350 degrees on middle rack for 8-10 minutes.