Well, it all started when one person (Tracy) posted some links. That's all it took. Now, I am on a bread making binge!
Our all around favorite is Bretzel Rolls (made two batches just today). There is no corned beef or pastrami sandwich better than one on these rolls!
These I am making now because my husband came home from work wanting a French Dip sandwich and we did not think the Pretzel Rolls would be the same:
[recipe]
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/French-Bread-Rolls-to-Die-For/Detail.aspx
French Bread Rolls to Die For
Submitted by: JOCATLIN
Rated: 5 out of 5 by 406 members
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Ready In: 2 Hours 20 Minutes
Yields: 16 servings
"Simply delicious French bread rolls with a crisp crust and chewy texture."
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, stir together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
To the yeast mixture, add the oil, salt, and 2 cups flour. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough has pulled away from the sides of the bowl. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
Deflate the dough, and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces, and form into round balls. Place on lightly greased baking sheets at least 2 inches apart. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2008 Allrecipes.com
Printed from Allrecipes.com 9/2/2008 [recipe]
With this Quick Au Jus:
[recipe]
http://sadieskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/07/au-jus-for-french-dip-sandwhiches.html
In a large saucepan, combine the water, bouillon, pepper, garlic salt, and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 15 - 20 minutes.
Though next time I will try making some from scratch.
HOMEMADE AU JUS
Makes about 3 cups (enough for 6 French dip sandwiches).
Note that the nutritional analysis for this recipe was done with 1/4 cup per serving. But you should actually serve 1/2 cup per person to make sure there's enough to enrich every last bite of sandwich.
Directions
Season the stew meat with 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the stew meat and brown well on all sides. When the meat is well-browned, add the onion, reduce heat to low and cook until the onions are tender and beginning to caramelize around the edges, about 10 minutes.
Add the garlic clove and tomato paste and continue cooking for 5 minutes more. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire and bay leaf, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove cover, increase heat to medium and simmer for another 25 minutes or until reduced to 3 cups.
Taste broth and add as much of the remaining salt as is necessary to give a deep salty-beefy flavor. Remove bay leaf and meat, and pour into cups. Serve with French Dip Sandwiches.
Nutrition information per cup serving:
Calories 22 Fat 1 g Sodium 250 mg
Carbohydrates 1 g Saturated fat 0 g Calcium 0 mg
Protein 1 g Dietary fiber 0 g