Doughy Inspiration
If you're looking for something a bit more posh than simple bread sticks, try Olive Tapenade Bread Scrolls. These savory small buns are filled with rich tapenade -- a paste of olives, capers, garlic, olive oil, and fresh basil -- and a good strong cheese like a sharp cheddar or aged Parmesan. They are easy to hold and eat while balancing a glass in your other hand.
Another easy-to-nosh-on treat are the childhood favorite, Pigs In a Blanket. While the version of your youth may have been made with cheap hotdogs, make an adult version with specialty sausages, such as red wine and garlic, and be sure to smear a bit of Dijon mustard on the dough before rolling them up for the oven.
For an Asian twist to evening cocktails, try serving sake alongside Steamed Pork Buns. Cook together pork burger, ginger, garlic, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced Napa cabbage until pork is cooked through and vegetables are tender. Set aside to cool. Roll the bread dough out 1/4 inch thick and cut into 3-4 inch circles. Pile a spoonful of pork mixture in the center of each circle. Pull edges together, twisting the top like a paper bag to seal. Let rise 20 minutes. Place in steamer and cook for 20 minutes until dough is cooked. Serve warm with dipping sauces.
You could also make miniature Gourmet Pizzas. Shape the bread dough into 3-4 circles 1/2-inch thick. Pre-bake for about 10 minutes, then remove from oven. Top with tomato sauce, alfredo sauce, or pesto and layer on ingredients such as prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced vegetables, or chunks of marinated artichokes. Return to oven and bake a further 10-20 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
If you're having a holiday brunch, consider the sweet and buttery pull-apart Monkey Bread. Simply make small balls of the bread dough, roll them in cinnamon and sugar, dunk them in butter, and pile them into a deep baking dish like you would a loaf of bread. Bake until golden brown and serve warm, instructing your guests to pull off tasty bits as they please.
Monkey Bread
Ingredients:
- frozen bread dough, thawed
- 1/4 sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup melted butter
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Divide dough into 1-2 inch pieces and roll into balls. Mix cinnamon and sugar together; roll each ball in mixture. Dunk each ball in melted butter and nestle together in deep baking dish, piling as high as necessary until all balls are used. Bake 30-40 minutes until bread is golden brown. Serve warm, pulling off pieces of bread to eat.
Pigs in a Blanket
Ingredients:
- frozen bread dough, thawed
- 1 package hot dogs or smokies
- Dijon mustard
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Divide dough to equal number of hot dogs/smokies. Press each piece in flat rectangle, 1/4 narrower than hot dogs/smokies. Spread dough with thin layer of Dijon mustard, add hot dog/smokie, and roll up to “blanket.” Press long edges to seal. Place on baking sheet and allow to rise for 20 minutes. Bake 20-30 minutes until crust is golden brown. Serve warm.
Olive Tapenade Scrolls
Ingredients:
- frozen bread dough, thawed
- one jar black olive tapenade
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Press dough into rectangle about 12” by 10”. Spread with thin layer of black olive tapenade and sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Starting on long edge, roll up tightly. Slice roll into 1/2-inch rounds and place round side down on baking sheet covered with baking paper. Let rise in warm place 20 minutes. Bake 20-30 minutes until scrolls are browned well.
All photos are courtesy of the author except the second image by Alpha.
