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Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls

We’re asking Toronto chefs to show us what they cook up using basic pantry supplies while they self-isolate at home

By Tiffany Leigh| Photography by Josh Morin
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Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
They’re almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

Like many of us, chef Josh Morin is confined to his home. We asked the social-distancing chef to whip us up a meal with ingredients he already had on hand. His recipe: his decadent dinner rolls, perfect for family holiday feasts (even if they’re over Zoom).

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According to the recent increase in flour and yeast sales, it appears that everyone in self-isolation is channeling their inner baker. And why not? There’s something about kneading dough that soothes the soul—and the stomach.

Morin’s dinner roll recipe was inspired by his family’s holiday feasts. And what with it being Easter weekend, he wanted to recreate some of that nostalgic magic. Morin says the super-fluffy and butter rolls are the perfect companion to just about anything else you’re serving—also and they mop up any leftover sauce like a boss. “Honestly, there’s nothing quite as satisfying than fresh homemade bread straight out of the oven,” says Morin. “And it smells wonderful, too.”

If you want to get fancy with this recipe, Morin says you can opt to add a half cup of shredded aged cheddar cheese or minced garlic into the melted butter, and top with grated parmesan right before baking. The wee buns also make excellent vessels for, say, leftover turkey or ham with a dollop of grainy mustard.

Above all else, Morin says that the keys to making these rolls is to exercise a little bit of patience and to have fun with it. “The process of making bread is the best part of the entire experience,” he says. This recipe makes 15 rolls. Store any leftovers in a sealed container and keep them on the countertop for up to two days (but they also freeze well).

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp granulated sugar 1 tsp salt 1 ½ tsp active dry yeast ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil ½ cup whole milk 1 large egg ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted Flaky sea salt Extra melted butter (for greasing the pan)

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The recipe

Heat the milk and sugar until just warm, around 110°F. Add yeast and let bloom for 8 to 10 minutes. If you have a kitchen thermometer, it will come in handy for this, otherwise, use a (clean) finger to touch the mixture. It should feel warm to the touch but not hot.

Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
Here’s what you’ll need.

 

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the egg, olive oil and milk/yeast mixture. Mix to combine.

Add the flour and the salt to the bowl of the stand mixer. With a dough hook attachment, mix on medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
Lookin’ good.

 

Transfer your dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap and let it sit to proof in a warm spot until the dough has doubled in size. This should take about 1 to 1 ½ hours.

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Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
It should go from this...
Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
... to this.

 

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down.

Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
This is where you get to take out any Covid-related frustration.

 

Divide it into 15 equal-sized portions. Working with one piece at a time, roll each portion into a ball.

Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
Turn these...
Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
...into these.

 

Brush a cast iron pan with melted butter.

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Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
Butter makes everything better.

 

Now space your dough balls in a spiral around the pan, leaving about a ½ inch of space in between each.

Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
A perfect fit.

 

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and leave to proof again until they have doubled in size. This should take about 30 minutes.

Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
When the dough balls are no longer social-distancing, it’s almost time to bake.

 

Brush each dough ball with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

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Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
Next stop: the oven.

 

Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until they’re golden brown.

Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
They’re almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

 

Eat them hot and slathered with lots of butter.

Quarantine Cuisine: How Richmond Station chef Josh Morin makes his buttery, pull-apart dinner rolls
Morin demonstrates the final step.

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Tiffany Leigh is an award-winning freelance journalist with degrees in business communications and education. She has a culinary background, is a recipient of the Clay Triplette James Beard Foundation scholarship award and has worked in restaurants such as Langdon Hall. In addition to Toronto Life, her pieces have been read in publications such as Forbes, Vogue, Eater, Dwell, Elle, Business Insider, Playboy, Food & Wine and Bon Appétit.

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