by Christine Galeone

Do you notice something different about this month’s column? In about a year’s worth of recipes, this is the first one that calls for yeast. And there’s a reason for that. But it’s not necessarily a good one.

My few past attempts at baking with yeast haven’t been resoundingly successful.  They’ve been forgettable at best and outright failures at worst. So, I tend to avoid baking anything that requires it.

However, with fall being the season when students return to learning new things, it seems like the perfect time to try such recipes. YouTube videos that address specific baking issues – like sticky, unmanageable dough – can also offer motivation. And this recipe for honey-baked sunflower dinner rolls is an ideal recipe for anyone with little experience working with yeast. 

Although this recipe contains less fat than most recipes for dinner rolls, that’s not the only reason that it’s a bit healthier. Sunflower seeds are packed with nutrients. They contain substantial amounts of Vitamin E, selenium, flavonoids and other nutrients that have the ability to reduce inflammation and protect cells against free radical damage. Reducing inflammation and avoiding free radical damage can also help prevent chronic diseases.

The tiny seeds, which are harvested from large sunflowers, have other benefits as well. They can lower your risk of heart disease. They might also help to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. 

Honey-Baked Sunflower Dinner Rolls

Ingredients:

3 Cups of All-Purpose Flour

2 Teaspoons of Instant Yeast

½ Teaspoon of Salt (Optional) 

1 Cup of Warm Water (120 degrees to 130 degrees)

1 Tablespoon of Light-Tasting Olive Oil

Topping Ingredients:

6 Teaspoons of Honey

6 Tablespoons of Unsalted Sunflower Kernels

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, salt, olive oil and water until the mixture is smooth and somewhat sticky. 

Cover the bowl, and let the dough rest and proof in a warm place for about 30-45 minutes.

Once the dough has been proofed, punch it down.

Divide the dough evenly into six separate units.

Knead each one on a floured surface, and form each one into a roll.

On a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet, drizzle 1 teaspoon of honey over each roll. Then, sprinkle each roll with 1 tablespoon of sunflower kernels. 

Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.

*Please Note: Honey is unsafe for infants, so this recipe shouldn’t be made for anyone under one-years-old.

  

Hopefully, this easy healthier recipe for dinner rolls can be a re-introduction to baking with yeast for you as well. Happy (healthier) baking, and happy learning!