Grilling Time - Hamburger Buns

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Let's start with this is not a grilling post... BUT, the hamburgers I will be serving on these buns will be... Blue Cheese sauced, grilled Pineapple Hamburgers.

But this is the figurative Horse that needs to be put before the cart.

Now next I am sure that many of you are thinking what a waste of time to make hamburger buns.  They are cheap, easy to find and honestly no will will comment on the buns once you load up the burger with grilled onions, cheese sauce, pineapple slices and other "Fixins".

I could make the case that these are cheaper than buying store bought... They are but only by pennies.

I could make the case that these take very very little hands on effort that in real time, real effort, it takes more time and energy to drive to the store to buy buns... This is also true, but unless you butcher a cow you probably need to go to the store for the hamburger meat anyway.

I guess it just boils down to preferring my own.  I like the taste of them, I like the fact that I can flavor and season as I like, I like the looks of them with the toasted sesame seeds, garlic flakes and sea salt on the top.  And of course, not to be casually dismissed, it just makes me feel like a cook when I serve fresh made bread in any form.

Besides... How's this for a platter of food... Pineapple Blue Cheese Hamburgers, Potato wedges with a white Cheddar Sauce and for dessert, more grilled pineapple slices.

But first, the horse... Plan ahead and make these the morning of the BBQ (grilling session actually, but that is semantics).  BTW, if you scroll down you will see VERY DETAILED photo instructions on how to make buns... Very Easy.

Hamburger Buns -
a Photo Tutorial Using a Bread Machine

Ingredients

• 3-1/4 Cups Flour
• 2 TBS Butter
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/3 Cup Sugar
• 1 Large Pinch Salt
• 1 Cup WARM (about 105 degrees) Water
• 2-1/4 tsp (one Envelope) Bread Machine Yeast (Sometimes called Quick or instant Yeast)
• 4 tsp Spices (Try an Italian mix of Fennel seeds, oregano and sage or be creative) Optional
• 4 tsp Mix of equal parts Sesame Seeds, Garlic Flakes and Coarse Grind Sea Salt
• 1 additional Large Egg, Beaten for egg wash

Cooking Directions

1. Place all ingredients in your bread machine. Select dough. Allow to run cycle.
2. Dump out onto lightly floured surface. Divide into 8 pieces. With each piece, slap into a bun shape. Usually 4 or 5 slaps will do it.
3. Place on parchment paper covered cookie sheets, cover with plastic wrap
4. Allow to rise about 30 to 40 minutes.
5. Brush with egg wash
6. Sprinkle the sesame/garlic/salt mixture on the top of the wash.
7. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes til golden. Cool on wire racks.

And come back tomorrow and I will cover how to Grill PINEAPPLE!!!

And here's your photo tutorial...

Assemble your ingredients (Mise en Place)

I am going to assume I am writing this for someone without a working knowledge of a bread machine, lots of details... Here's the inside.  Non stick, with a little paddle that does all the mixing and kneading.

Just measure and dump in.  be sure the water is warm (about 100 degrees, but not too hot).  This is so the yeast will do it's work.  No need to mix at all.  the paddle does it for you.

Each machine has a menu of duties... just hit menu till you reach the "Dough" setting (mine is #7)

Just takes an hour and a half...

Here's what it look like after just 7 minutes of the machine running.  It whirs around, mixing, then pauses before it starts kneading.

And here it is after an hour and a half...


See how it rises all by itself (there is a little heat unit inside, providing a PERFECT atmosphere for the dough to rise.

We are close to bread, but first, punch the top and it droops back about 1/4th.  This is fine, don't panic, it (and the South) will rise again.


While it took an hour and a half, the only hands on time was assembling and measuring the ingredients...2 minutes.

Bring the dough out.  It will be some hands on now... Form a ball.

Divide into 8 equal portions.

Form these into 8 balls.

Lay these out spaced evenly apart on parchment paper.

You can bake them like this if you like.  I prefer to add toppings.  SO, I do an egg wash (just beat an egg and brush the egg on the bread.


Also, allow the dough to raise again (see, told you), about 45 minutes.

Right before you pop them in the oven, I sprinkle some sesame seeds, garlic flakes and sea salt on the top.  they stick to the egg wash.

Be sure to slap the buns before baking to get flat (but not too flat).

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Grilling Time Secret Extras" or "52 Ways to Cook BBQ and Grilling Recipes"!!!

Well over 52 recipes actually as I just can't stop... Over 100 in one grilling season (I love to grill!). But not just leat... Drinks, Condiments (LOTS of different BBQ sauces), Drinks, Desserts... even specialty items like GRILLED Pizza, and fun shaped Watermelons.  Easy and these ideas will make you the MASTER of your Backyard Domain!

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