Lithuanian Bacon Buns Recipes

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.

GRAMPA RAY'S BACON BUNS

Steps:

• Filling: Chop bacon into small pieces; fry until crisp and drain off the fat. If adding onion, chop finely and cook with the bacon. Chop ham into small pieces. Combine ham with bacon mixture and grind in meat grinder or food processor. Cool in refrigerator. This may be done 2 to 3 days in advance. This mixture also freezes well.
• Dough: Heat milk in a saucepan. Add butter to melt. Add sugar and salt and cool. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of this liquid until yeast is activated, about 5 minutes. Beat 5 eggs slightly and add to remaining milk and butter mixture; blend and add to the yeast mixture. Add flour and use a dough hook to mix in a standing mixer for at least 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl until doubled in size. Punch down and let rise until doubled again.
• Roll out dough on a floured board to 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cutter or a clean tin can to cut the dough. In each circle place a lump of filling in the center, close the dough over, pinch all corners together, seal, and turn over so that seam is on bottom. Place on a baking sheet in rows. Let rise until doubled.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine egg yolk and water in a small bowl and brush over top. Bake for 15 minutes.

BACON BUNS

Steps:

• In a skillet, cook bacon and onion over medium heat until bacon is crisp and onion is tender; drain on paper towels., Prepare roll mix according to package directions. Turn the dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes., Divide dough into 18 pieces. On a floured surface, roll out each piece into a 5-in. circle. Top each with 1 tablespoon of bacon filling. Fold dough around filling, shaping each piece into a small loaf; pinch edges to seal. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. Cover loosely with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray. Let rise in a warm place for 20-30 minutes., Brush egg over buns. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

LITHUANIAN BACON BUNS

Steps:

• TO PREPARE THE DOUGH: Soften yeast in small amount of water and small amount of the flour; let rise a little. Add milk, eggs, shortening, sugar, salt. Gradually stir in flour to form soft dough. Beat vigorously, cover and let rise in a warm place until it doubles in size. Knead again for 2 minutes. Let rise a second time. Roll out 1/4-inch thick. Use large glass or circle cookie cutter for shaping buns. TO PREPARE THE FILLING: Mix the ingredients for the filling together well. TO FILL AND BAKE THE BUNS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Put 1 tablespoon of filling in each circle and seal edges with a little liquid. Let rise again for 15 minutes on greased pan. Brush with raw egg. Bake in oven 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Makes 2 dozen