Lower-fat garlic rolls with mozzarella
| • | Sweet tradition |
By Elaine Magee
Q. The garlic rolls at Tomatina restaurants are "to die for" but oh so greasy. I would love for you to make a more healthful version using a bread machine (I'm not much for kneading bread).
A. I've had this signature appetizer at Tomatina, and it's more like, "Would you like some roll with your garlic?" So, I'm going to tone down the garlic a smidgen and take the olive oil down a notch as well. I'm making the dough with half whole-wheat flour and a tablespoon of olive oil, some water, a teaspoon of sugar (to feed the yeast), some salt (to control yeast growth) and, of course, yeast.
I decided to make these garlic balls more satisfying by adding some part-skim mozzarella cheese to the middle of the balls. When I tasted these rolls at Tomatina last year, I remember thinking some melted mozzarella in the middle would be the perfect touch. My culinary predictions don't always work out, but the idea did this time.
GARLIC MOZZARELLA CHEESE BALLS (BREAD MACHINE)
Dough ingredients:
In bread machine pan, pour in the dough ingredients in the order listed here (unless directed otherwise by your bread machine manufacturer). Once you add the flours to the bread machine pan, put the salt into one of the corners of the pan and than make a well in the center of the flours and pour in the yeast.
Set the bread machine to dough cycle and press start. If, after a few minutes of mixing, the dough looks too stiff, add a couple teaspoons more warm water.
After about 1 hour 40 minutes, pull out the dough and place on a lightly floured flat surface or piece of wax paper. Divide the dough into three equal sized chunks then cut each of the chunks into about seven pieces each.
Flatten the pieces a bit and tuck a cube of mozzarella into each, wrapping the dough around the cheese. Place on a nonstick jellyroll pan or cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and cheese.
Spray the tops of the balls with canola or olive oil cooking spray. Let dough balls rest in a warm part of your kitchen for about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake until golden, about 12 minutes. Place the garlic cheese balls in a serving bowl.
In small nonstick saucepan, over medium heat, saute garlic in 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil for about 2 minutes. Drizzle garlic and oil mixture over cheese balls in serving bowl and toss. Serve with pizza or marinara sauce if desired.
Makes 7 servings (3 balls each).
Elaine Magee is a registered dietitian. Learn more at www.recipedoctor.com.
