Onion Bacon Rolls Recipes

PIRAGI - LATVIAN BACON BUNS

Steps:

• In a heavy non stick pan sauté onions and bacon until the onions are translucent and most of the bacon fat has rendered.
• Add ground pepper to taste.
• Leave this mixture to cool completely while you are making the dough. I usually make the bacon/onion mix the day before and leave it in my fridge until I am ready to use it. The bacon mixture is easier to work with when cold.
• Place yeast and water in a small bowl, put aside for the yeast to activate. It will froth up.
• In a small saucepan add butter, milk and sugar. Warm over a low heat until butter has melted and sugar has dissolved into the milk.
• When milk mixture has cooled to lukewarm stir through beaten egg, yeast and water.
• Place two cups of the plain flour and salt in a large bowl, pour liquid over and stir to combine.
• Once combined add the remaining flour. Mix until all ingredients have come together, then leave to rest in the bowl for 10 minutes.
• Once rested turn dough out on to a lightly floured surface and knead until dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 - 10 minutes.
• Place dough back in to a lightly oiled bowl and cover. Leave dough to raise, around 1½ hours or until doubled in size.
• Preheat oven 180 deg C (360 deg F)
• Once dough is ready, start pulling off a walnut size pieces of dough. Work them in to a ball in your hand then tease them out to a circle. Place a tablespoon of the bacon mixture, and bring the edges of the dough together. Seal the bun in a torpedo shape.
• Place formed buns on a baking tray that has been lined with baking paper.
• Mix the beaten egg and water together to make an egg wash. Brush egg wash mixture on buns. Place buns in oven and bake until golden, 12-15 minutes.Repeat with the remainder of the mixture and dough.
• Once out of the oven they are ready to eat.
• Piragi can also be frozen once cooled.

LITHUANIAN BACON BUNS (LASINECIAI)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large skillet, place bacon and onion and barely cover with water. Place the lid on the pan and let simmer until water has evaporated.
• Transfer entire contents of the skillet (fat and all) to a container and refrigerate until cool.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Scald the milk and mix in butter, sugar, and salt. Cool to 110 F.
• Dissolve yeast in this milk mixture, stirring well.
• Transfer milk-yeast mixture to a large bowl or stand mixer. Add eggs and flour and beat vigorously with a Danish dough whisk, Batter Blender, wooden spoon or the paddle attachment of a mixer until smooth.
• Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise until doubled.
• Punch down dough and let rise again.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Cut it in half and work with one half at a time keeping the other half covered.
• Roll the dough 3/8-inch thick. Cut out 2- to 3-inch circles of dough with a round cookie cutter.
• Place a tablespoon or so of cooled bacon mixture in center of dough circle.
• Fold edges over to completely cover the filling and shape into a ball.
• Place filled dough balls seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with re-rolled scraps and the other half of dough.
• Cover rolls with greased plastic wrap and let rise until almost doubled in bulk.
• Heat oven to 375 F.
• When rolls have risen nicely, remove the plastic wrap and bake 15 to 20 minutes.
• When rolls are lightly tan, brush them with the egg wash of 1 egg yolk beaten with 2 teaspoons water.
• Return to oven and bake until golden brown.
• Serve hot, at room temperature or reheated in the oven.