From Simple to Splendid: 5 Things You Can Do With Frozen Bread Dough

Frozen bread dough is a wonderfully versatile staple to have tucked away in the freezer for parties, casual get togethers, or a simple night in with a few close friends. Once the dough is thawed it can be kneaded, twisted, folded, and shaped into myriad tasty morsels to serve as appetizers with a glass of wine or champagne or even a cold beer.

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.






All photos are courtesy of the author except the second image by Alpha.