History The Parker House Roll

[donna]

"The Parker House Roll is a bread roll made by flattening the center of a ball of dough with a rolling pin so it takes an oval shape and then folding the oval in half."

The Parker House Roll was invented at the Parker House in Boston in the 1870s. The story goes that the chef was made so mad by a guest that he threw the rolls in the oven ad. This gave the rolls a dented appearance. They turned out great and were christened the Parker House Roll. They were first mentioned in cookbooks in 1880s. Fannie Farmer gives a recipe for them in her 1896 Boston Cooking School Cook Book.

 

[Northern Light]

There was a little bakery in my husband's hometown that made the best Parker House Roll, ever! It was a ritual to go there every time went home to get Mrs. Robson's rolls and Empire biscuits! It was a sad day in Gotham City when the Robsons retired.

 

[Northern Light]

I have made these rolls, but there is a real trick to the fold, that I never mastered. Too impatient I guess!

 

[FarawayFriend]

I have made these rolls, but there is a real trick to the fold, that I never mastered. Too impatient I guess!

They look simply delicious, Northern Light!
I wished I could have one right now!

 

[Northern Light]

They look simply delicious, Northern Light!
I wished I could have one right now!

So do I!

 

[donna]

They are delicious. My Granny always served them for Thanksgiving dinner. They are best right out of the oven with sweet butter.

 

[rosefiend]

Donna, do you have a recipe? I'm in charge of rolls this year for Thanksgiving (and probably Christmas).

 

[Northern Light]

Donna, do you have a recipe? I'm in charge of rolls this year for Thanksgiving (and probably Christmas).

http://www.jamesbeard.org/recipes/parker-house-rolls. Try these ones. James Beard's recipes are always good.

 

[rosefiend]

Oh, my. Enough butter to kill a horse. My relatives will love it!

 

[donna]

Here is Parker House Dinner Roll Recipe from Taste of Home..

1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees)
3 eggs
6 3/4 to 7 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine the shortening, sugar and salt. Stir in boiling water. Add yeast, eggs and 3 cups flour to shortening mixture. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic., about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter. Fold circles in half; press edges to seal. Place in 2 inch, apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Brush with butter. Serve warm.

Makes 3 dozen.

 

[donna]

Northern Light thanks for recipe you posted. But this one good and easy.

 

[rosefiend]

Here is Parker House Dinner Roll Recipe from Taste of Home..

1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees)
3 eggs
6 3/4 to 7 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine the shortening, sugar and salt. Stir in boiling water. Add yeast, eggs and 3 cups flour to shortening mixture. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic., about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter. Fold circles in half; press edges to seal. Place in 2 inch, apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Brush with butter. Serve warm.

Makes 3 dozen.

Thanks, Donna. I may try them both if I am ambitious enough.

I like your kitty avatar so much.

 

[donna]

Thought bring this thread back up. One must have Parker House Rolls for Thanksgiving.

 

[MRB1863]

AAAAAHHHH! The delightful aroma of a bread baking always gives me a warm "homey" feeling. Add the pat of butter and the calories be dam***.

 

[Anna Elizabeth Henry]

I was in Panera this morning and seeing all those tempting loaves and rolls was killing me. It took everything not to ditch my fruit salad and opt some yummy, fresh bread! Back to the Parker House Rolls, honestly I've never heard of them, unsure why as they look delish! Will have to give them a whirl some day soon, thanks for sharing!

 

[Northern Light]

I found these on Pinterest or somewhere and thought they looked yummy!

Lion House Rolls

image: http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everyth...ads/2010/11/lion-house-rolls-009-683x1024.jpg


Print
Serves: 2 to 2½ dozen
Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water
• ⅔ cup instant nonfat dry milk
• 2 Tablespoons dry yeast (around 2 packages - if you use 2 it's just under 2 Tablespoons but it works)
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ⅓ cup butter (5⅓ tablespoons) - plus more for brushing the rolls after baking.
• 1 egg
• 5-5½ cups all purpose flour (bread flour can be used if you have it on hand and will make for a lighter roll)

Instructions

Notes
Source: KSL.com and the Lion House Cookbook

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/11/lion-house-rolls.html#iMStdfM2gxptWHff.99

 

[donna]

The Parker House Roll was subject on Bizarre Foods on Travel Channel last night, Aug. 1. The host went to the Parker House and saw them made.

These rolls are so yummy.

 

[nitrofd]

The Parker House Roll was subject on Bizarre Foods on Travel Channel last night, Aug. 1. The host went to the Parker House and saw them made.

These rolls are so yummy.

I taped that show but have not watched it yet,later today.

 

[donna]

It also has segment on their famous Boston Crème Pie.

 

[nitrofd]

It also has segment on their famous Boston Crème Pie.

That is also from the Parker House.