Happy Labor Day - Jiffy Hamburger Buns

This is the last hoorah of the year. Most of the snowbirds are heading home after seeking cooler weather for the summer months. School is back in session and vacationers have gone home. We will still see the occasional ski junkie from Texas when ski season starts. If last year was any indication, we won't see many skiers or hunters this year due to the sheer cost of living these days. It's way too expensive. 

Ms. M gave me this wax warmer one year for my birthday. 

It's the perfect time of the year to enjoy it.

Miss you Ms. M!

I like the fall and winter months of solace from the outside world. The wind started blowing in the evenings about a week ago, this indicates a big change is on the way. The mornings are cooler already. It's like someone switched off the heat. I've already started planning for the colder months. Number One Husband already negotiated with the propane man and ordered a fill-up. It won't be long until we switch to using flannel sheets on the bed. Then we will add blankets and a comforter as the weather cools. Last but not least we will turn the heat on as a last resort to stay warm. We try to make it to November 1st before we fire up the furnace. I'm not sure if we will make it to that date. It was 59 degrees inside the house this morning.

I made a delicious London Fog tea this morning to warm me up. I put on a hoodie and wandered outside to feel the sun on my face and check the hummingbird feeder. We have one hummingbird left. She will be leaving in the next day or two. I need to put birdseed on my list to help the birds that winter over when the snow is deep.

Number One Husband grilled up some chicken and peppers for Angel Fire Burgers and I tried a new bun recipe from Homesteading with the Zimmermans on YouTube. Their information is below. I enjoy watching their channel and trying out their recipes. Check them out!

 Jiffy Hamburger Buns is a great title for these buns. They come together in a jiffy. 

I ended up making 14 larger buns instead of 18-24 smaller ones. This recipe
can be used to make slider buns too. 

Shalom,

Mrs. Smith

Homemade Big Mac... Bun Recipe

The secret to this recipe is getting the buns to rise in height instead of width. I make this happen by cutting 5 inch tall wax paper strips and 6 inch tall strips of foil that I double over for support. Make the strips about 15 inches long. This should allow you to to connect the edges by creasing the edges together. These strips can be reused over and over. 

The bread dough is made from the basic dough recipe that I frequently use with a couple of tweaks. I use all purpose flour instead of bread flour for a lighter dough and I add more sugar, because hamburger buns are sweet. 

I only made six buns along with a loaf of bread.

Ready to bake.

You don't have to be exact on the measurements for the strips as you can see. They will store better if you cut them all the same size.

Buns are rising.

Big Mac with homemade fries.

Dough Ingredients:

2 1/2 C Warm Water

3 Tsp Yeast

1/4 Cup Sugar

3 Tbs + Soft or Melted Butter (Vegetable Oil Can Be Substituted)

5 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour (+ flour for kneading)

1 Tbs Salt

Add warm water, melted/softened butter or oil and sugar to a large bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Add half of the flour and all of the salt. Mix well with a sturdy wooded spoon.

Keep adding flour until a soft dough forms.

Once the dough has formed, dust a counter or other hard surface with flour and knead the dough for 10 minutes adding small amounts of flour as needed to prevent sticking.

After kneading you should have a very soft stretchy dough.

Place dough in an oiled bowl and turn dough until coated completely in the oil.

Cover and let rise until doubled in size.

Punch down dough and knead for 3 minutes.

Divide dough into 12 equal pieces.

Form into 12 balls. 

Place on a large greased baking sheet with plenty of space in between each one. 

Lightly oil the tops and sides of the dough balls.

Wrap cut wax paper strips around dough balls.

Wrap doubled over foil strips around the wax paper for support. 

Crease edges to hold strips in place.

Let rise until dough is about 3 1/2 inches tall.

Carefully remove the wrap from each bun.

Gently coat each bun with melted butter or oil.

Bake in a 450* preheated oven until browned.

Let cool completely on a rack before slicing into three sections.

Make your "Big Mac" with your favorite toppings.

Enjoy,

Mrs. Smith