The essence of cooking, like art, is the transformation of mediums using different techniques into a final expression. It’s a way to communicate a feeling, a time, or a place.
Bread. Flour, water, salt, and yeast. Simple and yet not.
Bread has been credited with the emergence of societies. It has built cultures, been weaponized, brought about revolutions, and used to bless newlyweds.
The domestication of wheat 10,000 years ago gave rise to more agrarian societies which were able to sustain larger populations. This less nomadic lifestyle and increased population would preempt the development of distinct cultures, industrial innovations, and governing bodies.
As societies became more reliant on wheat and the bread, governments realized opportunities to control the people. Roman politicians would employ what Juvenal, a Roman satiric poet, called “Bread and Circuses.” Poor people were provided with a grain dole or benefit and entertainment. Essentially, buying votes and distracting this populace from egregious flaws and corruption in governance.
Governing bodies were not only guilty of exploiting the reliance that their public had on bread some were ignorant of what measures people would go to protect their rights to bread.
Everything conspires to render the present period in France critical; the want of bread is terrible; accounts arrive every moment from the provinces of riots and disturbances, and calling in the military, to preserve the peace of the markets. - Arthur Young
Bread shortages, rising prices, and deregulation of the grain trade were three of a multitude of grievances of the French that would ultimately lead to them storming the Bastille July 17, 1789 in search of not only arms but grain to make bread. It’s really too bad that Louis XVI didn’t heed the advice of Turgot when he said, “Ne vous mêlez pas du pain” - Do not meddle with bread.
Not all bread history is infused with exploitation and ignorance. Many folks have a healthy respect for bread. A charming example of this can be seen in the Polish wedding bread and salt blessing.
We greet you with bread and salt so that your home might always enjoy abundance. - Polish wedding toast
A loaf of bread sprinkled with salt is presented to the bride and groom by both sets of parents. The bread represents the parents’ wish that the couple will never go hungry or be in need.
And if you are ever in need of the fluffiest, easiest dinner rolls to bring to a potluck, serve alongside your Sunday roast, or accompany deli meats for a picnic, I respectfully present my Grandma Florence’s 2-Hour Rolls recipe.
2-Hour Rolls
Most of the two hours is spent in the warm, sweet smell of fresh dough rising. Can’t think of much that is better than that.
Ingredients
1 cup warm water (105˚ - 115˚F)
2 packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups flour
Instructions
Pour the warm water into a small bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the water, stir to combine and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
With a stand mixer or hand mixer on low speed, cream the shortening and sugar.
Add boiling water and stir until shortening mixture has dissolved. Allow to cool so that you don't cook the eggs when you add them in the next step.
Add eggs and beat well.
Add the yeast mixture, salt and flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough comes away from the bowl. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes.
Place the dough in a greased bowl. Turn the dough over once so that the top is greased, cover with a clean tea towel and allow to rise for 1 hour.
Deflate the dough and turn out onto your work surface. Divide dough into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a tight round ball and place seam side down about 1-inch apart in the prepared baking dish.
Cover with a clean tea towel, and allow to rise until double in bulk.
About 20 minutes before baking, set a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350˚F.
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown.
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