Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Orange, Cinnamon and Raisins Sweet Rolls, with Orange Butter/ Petits Pains à L’Orange, Cannelle et Raisins secs, et son Beurre à L’Orange

Fresh from the Oven


It rains in my heart
As it rains on the city;
What is this langor
That permeates my heart?

Il pleure dans mon coeur
Comme il pleut sur la ville;
Quelle est cette langueur
Qui pénètre mon coeur?

Paul Verlaine, Romances sans paroles (1874)

My friends! Forgive my lack of words lately.

I haven’t been posting as often as I should, and I feel bad about it. As much as I love you guys. As much as I adore sharing my kitchen adventures, my laughs, my past and future with you, I felt a need to take a break. To sit down and breathe.

My heart felt empty these past few days. My heart felt hollow. But I promise, it’s not as bad as it seems, and I am not a big whiner, I swear. As my nana would have said: “ Flush your whining down the toilet…you can be sure it won’t come back!” She was a philosopher in her own way.

I still need some time, to clear up my mind from various old dusts. I still need to borrow my husband’s shoulder to rest on, and a soft pillow to sleep on, but I will be OK! I’ll be fine! The weather isn’t helping either… and this song too.

Next time will be more joyful. I promise! In the meantime, I brought you my cinnamon and orange scented soft pillows to share with you. My heart was growing bigger and stronger as these little buttery rolls were baking, filling my house with a warm cinnamon and yeasty scent.

My heart was happy.

Better with Orange Butter


Orange, Cinnamon and Raisins Sweet Rolls, with Orange Butter

Recipe: Adapted from Gourmet, November 2005. For 12 sweet rolls
- 3 tablespoons warm water plus 2 teaspoons water at room temperature
- 1 package active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- ½ cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
- 5 to 5 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh orange zest
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup raisins (steamed)
- - 1 teaspoon anise seeds (optional)
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
- ¾ stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened, plus additional for greasing bowl
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- - For the Orange Butter:
- 1 stick (½ cup) salted or unsalted butter, softened (I used salted butter)
- 1/3 cup orange marmalade


1-Stir together warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar in bowl of mixer fitted with paddle attachment and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, discard and start over with new yeast.) While yeast is foaming, whisk 4 cups flour with zest, salt, raisins, anise seeds (if using) and cinnamon in a bowl.

2-Add milk, vanilla, butter, and remaining ½ cup sugar to yeast, then mix at medium speed until combined. Beat in 3 eggs, 1 at a time, then add orange cinnamon flour and mix until combined well.

3-Replace paddle attachment with dough hook attachment and mix at medium-low speed, adding more flour (1 to 1 1/2 cups), 1/4 cup at a time, until a smooth but slightly sticky dough forms, about 5 minutes. Transfer dough to a work surface and knead by hand until smooth and elastic (dough will remain slightly sticky), about 3 minutes. (I used only an additional 1cup of the flour. The dough will look sticky, but once kneaded (as shown in this life changing video) it will regain a smooth texture)

4- Form dough into a ball and transfer to a large buttered bowl, turning dough to coat with butter.
Cover bowl with kitchen towel and let dough rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

5- Line a 17- by 14-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
Turn out dough gently, without ripping it off the bowl, onto work surface and fold it over. Cut dough into 12 equal pieces. Cup your hand over 1 piece and, using your thumb and pinkie to keep ball inside your cupped hand, push dough lightly with heel of your hand against work surface while rolling in a circular motion to form a smooth ball. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough, arranging balls 1 inch apart on baking sheet.

6- Cover loosely with kitchen towel and let dough rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled in bulk, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
Whisk together remaining egg with remaining 2 teaspoons water in a small bowl. Cut a 1-inch X (1/4 inch deep) in top of each roll with kitchen scissors. Brush rolls lightly with egg wash and bake until golden and rolls sound hollow when tapped on bottom, 15 to 20 minutes. Brush them with a simple sugar syrup (to have this shiny finish, but it's optional). Transfer rolls to a rack and cool, at least 20 minutes. Serve with the Orange Butter.
7- To make the orange butter:
Pulse butter and marmalade in a food processor, a mixer, or simply by using a fork until combined well. Transfer to a small crock or serving bowl. Butter can be made 5 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving.

- Note:
Rolls can be baked 1 day ahead and cooled completely, then kept in sealed plastic bags or a large airtight container at room temperature. (I prefer them on the following day) You can reheat them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven 10 minutes.

Orange, Cinnamon and Raisins Sweet Rolls


Petits Pains à L’Orange, Cannelle et Raisins secs, et son Beurre à L’Orange

In Francais Please: Adaptée de Gourmet, Novembre 2005. Pour 12 Petits pains
- 3 c.s d’eai tiede plus 2 c.c d’eau a temperature ambiante
- 1 sachet de levure bloulangere (2 ¼ c.c)
- 50g de sucre en poudre plus 1 c.c
- 600 a 780g de farine
- 1 c.s de zeste d’orange
- 2 c.c de sel
- 1 c.c de cannelle en poudre
- 100g de raisins secs (cuits a la vapeur)
- 1 c.c de graines d’anis (facultatives)
- 225 ml de lait entier tiede
- 1 ½ c.c de vanille
- 90g de beurre mou, plus une noisette pour beurre le bol
- 4 gros oeufs à temperature ambiante
- Pour le Beurre à l’Orange:
- 115g de beurre salé ou doux (J’ai utilisé le salé)
- 50g de marmelade d’orange


1- Mélanger la levure, le sucre et l’eau tiede dans le bol d’un mixer et laisser mouser environ 5 minutes. Entre temps, mélanger 480g de farine avec le sel, canelle, raisins secs, zest d’orange et graines d’anis (si vous en utilisez)

2- Ajouter le lait, beurre et les 50g de sucre a la levure, puis bien mélanger. Ajouter 3 oeufs, un à un, puis ajouter le mélange de farine et battre encore jusqu’ à ce que tout soit homogene.

3- Si vous utiliser un kitchen aid, mettre l’attachement pour le pain et petrir la pate en ajoutant le reste de la farine petit à petit (120g a 180g), jusqu’à ce que la pate devienne reguliere et un peu collante, environ 5 min. Transvaser la pate vers votre plan de travail et petrir encore pour que la pate devienne elastique (la pate restera plus au moins collante), environ 3 min. (Pour ma part, je n’ai ajouté que 120g de farine. La pate vous semblera tres collante mais une fois travaillée (voir video), elle sera plus homogene).

4- Rouler la pate en boule et la mettre dans un bol beurré. Couvrir d’un film plastique ou un torchon et laisser lever 1 ½ à 2 heures.

5- Garnir une tole a patisserie d’un papier-parchement.
Verser la pate doucement sans tirer dessus sur votre plan de travail et la plier en deux. Former un doudin et couper 12 petites boules de la pate. Former des boules et les mettre sur la tole a patisserie. Les espacer de 3 cemtimeres environ.

6- Couvrir d’une serviette et laisser lever 1- 1 ¼ heures. Préchauffer le four à 200C. Mélanger l’eau avec l’oeuf restant et badigeonner les petits pain avec. Faites cuire jusqu’à ce qu’ils deviennent dorés et semblent creux quand vous taper doucement la base, environ 15-20 minutes. Badigonner d'un syrop au sucre pour avoir ce fini brillant, mais c'est facultatif). Laisser refroidir sur une grille à patisserie au moins 20 minutes avant de servir

7- Pour le Beurre à l’Orange: Mélanger le beurre mou et la marmelade dans un robot ménager, un mixer ou simplement à l’aide d’une fourchette. Mettre dans une assiette ou un petit ramequin et servir avec les petits pains. Ce beurre peut etre prepare 5 jours avant, couvert d’un film plastique et mis au frais. Ramener à temperature ambiante avant de servir.

- Note:
Les petits pains peuvent etre cuit un jour avant, refroidit completement et conserve dans un sachet ou une boite à fermeture hermétique, à temperature ambiante. (je le préfere le lendemain de sa cuisson) Vous pouvez aussi les réchauffer pendant 10 minutes à 160C et les servir tiede avec le beurre à l’orange.



39 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can attest to the wonderful taste and texture of these spice buns - tres, tres delicieux!

Pierre also remembers those verses from Verlaine. We hope things are on the up and up for ya :)

biz,
christine

Alejandra Ramos said...

My gosh...these would make my heart happy too...

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

The sight of those beautiful cinnamon rolls is lifting my spirits on this grey day. I hope they are doing the same for you, too.

Anonymous said...

Your rolls look just dreamy. And your heart... I hope that brightens a bit with every passing day. And Meiko- I am such a fan of her! She makes my world better.

Gretchen Noelle said...

Your heart sounds sad...I hope you are feeling better soon. These rolls look just adorable! I bet they tasted great as well!

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

They look utterly perfect!

Cheryl said...

These sweet rolls would make my heart happier too. Hope you feel better soon.

Patricia Scarpin said...

I'm sure you'll be 100% better soon, you're strong, I know!
And these are making me feel better, too - and I haven't even bitten into them yet. :)

Deborah said...

These sound so delicious, and they are gorgeous!

browniegirl said...

Beautiful Warda-Rose with the beautiful sad heart, I am thinking of you and praying that you will be uplifted. These gorgeous buns and the act of making them for loved ones would uplift me for sure. Thank you for sharing your heart and your kitchen with us, Love Colleen xx

Brilynn said...

Those buns look beautiful, I hope they helped to make you feel better.

Aimée said...

Oh, I could use some of these...they look comforting and healing, just what the doctor ordered!
Hope you're smiling again soon.

Lucy said...

Warda, everyone needs a break from their blog every once in a while - it does us all good to go out, see, feel and taste with no obligation to write it all up. By taking in all the things around you, sleeping well and resting your head, you come back alive and refreshed - take your time.

You know, I have a deep dislike of Hot Cross Easter Buns...but these are a delightful substitution for someone like me!

Lovely, as always.

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Turn on the music, rest your head on his shoulder, and eat these buns, and you're guaranteed to feel better in no time. They're perfection!

Gigi said...

I think these buns would make anyone smile and feel slighter better. They're just gorgeous! I hope you feel better.

Anonymous said...

If I may offer another transliteration of Verlaine's beautiful piece:

It rains in my heart/
As it rains on the city;/
What is this langor/
That permeates my heart?

Shayne said...

sorry to see your so sad, spring is sprouting soon and so will a smile.

The bread looks very nice and I will have to remember the whinning thing for Z.

Warda said...

Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement. You've been all so nice to me. You lifted me up with all your sweet words. From the bottom of my happy heart, thnk you!

- Christine, as melancholic as this poem can be, it is my favorite. It was all my pleasure to share these sweet buns with you and your friends!
I am doing much better now. Merci!

- Alejandra, thank you very much!

- Lydia, thanks, my dear! Hopefully the grey days, the real ones, will go away very soon :)

- Joy, I've discovered Meiko just recently, and she has such a unique sensibility to her voice and songs that I had to listen to her over and over again. Baking These sweet rolls helped me too.

- Gretchen, thnak you for dropping by! I am doing much better now. I guess it was just a grey cloud passing by.

- Aforkfullofspaghetti, thank you!

- Cheryl, thank you very much! All these sweet notes were a big boost, too.

- Patricia, I wish I could share them with you my sweet Patricia, as you always seem to have the right words to bring the smile into my face again. Thank you my friend!

- Deborah, thank you very much!

- Colly, Nice to see you again, my dear friend! You are so nice to me. It did uplift me to know that I was baking them for some special people.Baking can be therapeutic sometimes. xoxo

- Brilynn, thank you very much sweetie!

- Aimee, knowing how "in need" of some sweet buns you must be right now, I would have sent them to you right away. Hope you are doing well!

- Lucy, you are right! I feel refreshed already! Thank you my sweet Lucy for your advices. I don't like the idea of blogging because you have to keep up with your posts. I believe if you're not inspired or just not feeling like talking about what you had for dinner, then don't do it. It's better for you and your readers.

- Susan, thank you very much! Brazilian music helped me out getting better. There is nothing like it! Oh, and my husband too! ;)

- Gigi, thank you very much!

- Anonymous, I prefer your translation better than the "official one" I found on the internet. This poem is my favorite. That's why I put it instead. Merci!

- Shayne, we are having some sunshine today, which always good.
Z is the princess of all beautiful things, so this might shock her ;)

mima said...

Hello Warda!Un petit nuage vient te deranger? oust,du balai pas de çà chez nous!!
La melancolie te va bien....tes brioches sont une pure merveille!Tes photos sont magnifiques,plus vraies que natures!!Un grand bravo!
Mais apres la pluie ,le beau temps et je sais(comme si je t'avais fait...)que tu es une battante et que tu vas tout faire pour reprendre du poil de la bete.
N'empeche que tes"boules"sont reussies.Congratulation!!!Biz.

Anonymous said...

Hi Warda,

I'm so glad you liked the translation. I love Verlaine's work, too; this is a beautiful example. Thank you for sharing so much in your blog and I hope the sunshine (and our first day of spring!) has lifted your heart.

Anonymous said...

I wish I could help you and give you the smiles you need to have a good day :)
I'll be expecting you back !
Hughs xxx

Shayne said...

yes today was beautiful, cold but beautiful.

Wendy said...

Wishing some sunshine into your life, Warda.
The buns look spectacular. :)

creampuff said...

These beautiful rolls would make anyone's heart happy! Thank you for sharing them with us and making us a little bit happier!

mima said...

C'est le printemps,bonjour,bonjour les hirondelles,il y a d'la joie...!!(Verlaine,Trenet,la tristesse,la joie...2 sentiments qui se completent)
Et "romalement",les roses aiment le printemps!!
biz

Anonymous said...

These look wonderful! How perfect for Easter! Take care of yourself and feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

those look really good!

Big Boys Oven said...

so nice ... you really melted me! lol!

Anonymous said...

oooh, check out the glaze on those buns!! They look and sound delicious.

Chou said...

Lovely buns--I always find baking therapeutic. Enjoy the arrival of spring.

Gloria Baker said...

These make me happy too looks sooo yummy and nice!!! xGloria

Anonymous said...

i love your nana. and minus the raisins, i love these rolls.

Avory said...

Quelle belle (et triste) poème!

Anonymous said...

Wow, looks delicious!

Sara said...

Such a coincidence! I was thinking about Paul Verlaine today because I was writing about Arthur Rimbaud for my French Literature class.

I hope you feel better, darling. These rolls look fantastic!

RecipeGirl said...

My heart would be happy too with those swimming around in my tummy!

Anonymous said...

J'espère que ces petites brioches t'ont apporté le soleil qui te manquait...

Anonymous said...

Hoping your spirits are lifted!
Beautiful rolls.

Helene said...

Sorry I missed this post previously. I hope things are back to normal now. The buns are a sure thing to bring a smile on anybody's face :)
*hugs*