Rosemary & Olive Bread Rolls

If you are a bread lover who loves to fill your bread basket with soft rolls, try this one. The flavour of olives, rosemary and honey will make your love for crusty bread grow ever stronger.

We love Chappatis but hate kneading the dough. Anyway this recipe is our solution. Just take lumps of the dough, place in a baking dish and bake. Voila! These rolls would be perfect for the holidays because they are just a little fancier than your traditional rolls.

Add 10 gm powdered yeast (NOT dry yeast; please use a good quality powdered yeast as it will make a big difference to your breads) into 1 and a half cups of warm water. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp sugar on it and wait few mins for it to rise.

Knead 5 cups whole wheat flour (atta) + 1/2 cup olive oil + 1/2 cup honey (add oil first and then honey so the liquid slides into the bowl; else the honey may stick to the bowl) + 1/2 tsp salt + 1/2 tsp of dried rosemary + the yeast mixture. Knead well, dusting with more flour. Leave the dough to rise until it doubles in size (for about half an hour)

Roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking tray lined with wax paper with 1 cm in between each. Bake at 200 degrees for 30 mins.

These rolls are healthy, heart-friendly and even suitable for diabetics. They go great with soups too.

PS: Butter may be used instead of olive oil but that would be an unhealthier option – because as far as holiday dinner rolls go, the above rolls are pretty lean. Raisins or chopped dried fruits can be used for a fruity flavour instead of rosemary. You may also add chopped black olives to the dough, if you are an olive fanatic like me. Enjoy!

By Linda Joseph Kavalackal,
Christ & Co.