Saturday, December 1, 2007

Can we still be friends?


Gma's Orange Rolls, originally uploaded by mud pie gourmet.

We went to see Jim Gaffigan last night. One of his jokes was about when you haven't returned someone's telephone call for so long, what do you do? You think, "we weren't that close anyway" and do you just end the friendship because it would be so awkward once you called? Made me think of my food blog (flog) which I have neglected for so long. Want my excuses like I would give you if I hadn't returned your phone call? Well, for starters--teaching seminary at 6am, but still getting to bed at 11:30 and being over 6 months pregnant, a funeral, family in town (both sides)... But, can't we just be friends the way we used to be?

My grandmother recently celebrated her 99th birthday (yes, I know I already wrote about it on my family blog). For just about every family get-together that I can remember she was the one who brought the rolls. Our favorites were the Orange Rolls. I would eat about 5 within a couple minutes of dinner starting. Now that she is 99 she would have still made the rolls for Thanksgiving, but she had a cold that knocked her out (hopefully not from my kids!). I made them instead. I made them for both families (yes, we eat 2 Thanksgiving dinners--and I am wondering why my belly is getting huge). My mother-in-law gave me a recipe she had of Martha Stewart's. I made a batch of each, and I have to say, my grandma's are better!

These are fabulous because you make the dough the night before and put it in the fridge. It made my morning go a lot smoother (especially since S. was playing tag football for three hours and I had pies to make, too with the kids running around). I have only changed the recipe by using butter instead of shortening (does shortening freak anyone else out?).

My two year old definitely takes after me as he ate 5 rolls within minutes. And I'm pretty sure his cousin, Michael had even more than him.

Grandma's Orange Rolls

Rolls:

2 T. dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup hot water
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter (melted)
3 well beaten eggs
4-4 1/2 cups flour

Orange filling:

1/3 cup softened butter
1/3 cup sugar
rind of 1 orange (about 2 T)
1/2 tsp almond extract.

Orange glaze:

Juice of 1 orange
1 lb powdered sugar

Sprinkle yeast over 1/4 cup warm water. Set aside. Combine sugar, butter and salt with hot water and stir. Add beaten eggs and 1 cup flour. Mix well. Stir in dissolved yeast thoroughly. Add remaining flour and stir until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Turn dough onto a floured board. Divide into 2 portions. Roll each portion into a rectangle 1/4 inch thick and spread with half of orange filling. Roll up as for a jelly rolls and cut into 1 inch slices and place in buttered muffin tins. Let rise until double. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Pour orange glaze of the top of rolls.

7 comments:

Vanessa said...

we can always be friends! (especially because of the great recipes you post on your flog....) :)
and yes, shortening absolutely freaks me out.

Jenny said...

Mmmmmm! I can't wait to try these soon.

Tracie said...

Whatever is wrong with plasticized hydrogenated vegetable oil? I seem to remember partaking of these wonderful rolls back in the day...maybe I am just trying to create a false memory, so that I can imagine having tasted of such delectable melt in your mouth sweetness.

Amanda said...

They're so amazing! I think I had 2 as I was trying to not stuff myself too much on Thanksgiving Day.

Carrie said...

I need to figure out a roll recipe like this that I can do and is easy! I have a cinnamon roll recipe that is somewhat complicated and confusing...but I did master it years ago...and made some amazing ones, but after making them a few times, I decided I was eating too much. Now, the same recipe just seems like too much work. So Christmas morning wasn't the fancy rolls I dreamed of...maybe I can try these out. Are they easy? I like the make the night before and put in the fridge idea...shall I try them?

Stephanie said...

Good to see you back on the blogosphere again! Missed you! Anyway, I've been on the hunt for a good orange roll recipe. Can't wait to try these. I am with you on the butter/shortening thing--shortening freaks me out too. Although I have friends who say it does cook up a better baked good, I still can't bring myself to do it. It's so unpure...and someday they will probably label it a carcinogen b/c of all the freaky stuff in it! Thanks so much for the recipe!!

Stephanie said...

One more question Julie...can I modify this for a breadmaker? I'm so lazy when it comes to making homemade bread :)