Making great hamburger or sandwich buns

We've said it before, “Buns make the burger” and nothing makes a better burger than homemade buns. In fact, once you've had a burger on a fresh homemade bun, burgers will never be the same. You can use your favorite bread mix (or bread recipe) to make some terrific hamburger or sandwich buns. A two-loaf mix will make about eighteen large hamburger buns and a single-loaf mix or bread machine mix will make eight or ten. Mix the dough according to the package or recipe directions and then remove the dough to a greased bowl and cover it with plastic. Let it rise until it is doubled and very puffy--an hour or more. Grease two large baking sheets (for a two loaf mix) or cover them with parchment paper. Once the dough has risen, deflate it and divide the dough into eighteen equal pieces with a sharp knife (or scale the pieces at 3 ounces each on your kitchen scales). Form smooth round balls by pulling the dough around the center and pinching the seams together on the bottom of the roll. Place them on the greased sheet allowing room for them to expand. (You can place a dozen of them on a 12-inch by 18-inch baking sheet---three rows of four buns each.) On the baking sheet, gently press the balls into flat discs with your hand. The dough will tend to spring back. Allow the dough to relax a few minutes and then press again. You may need to repeat the process again until you have discs that are 3 1/2 to 4 inches in diameter and 1/2 to 3/4-inches thick. Lightly dust the tops with flour (we use a screen or strainer to distribute the flour). Cover the rolls lightly with plastic and allow them to rise again until doubled and puffy--about an hour. Let them rise completely for soft, light buns. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake the rolls for 15 minutes or until the tops are a rich golden brown. If you are baking both sheets at once, switch the top sheet with the bottom sheet half way through the baking so that the buns will bake evenly. Immediately remove the rolls to a wire rack to cool. Copyright 2003-2007, The Prepared Pantry ( prepraredpantry ). Published by permission

Outdoor end tables a great accent to use in several ways

When you need to accessorize and beautify your garden or porch, you can use an outdoor end table. There is a great selection of outdoor end tables for you to choose from and many designs to choose from. Although, it is first best to measure your area to determine how much space you want to fill. End tables have been used inside of homes for many years, and the thought that they could be used outside of the home is something that probably wouldn’t even cross most peoples’ minds. It is true that most end tables are made specifically for the indoor living room. However, in the last few years, outdoor end tables have become more and more popular. People have been building verandas and decks much larger than they used to in later years and these bigger patios have more space for full outdoor dining sets, barbecues, and now, outdoor end tables. As outdoor furniture trends are growing, new ideas are taking over the manufacturing business, and, as a result, buyers are starting to have much more choice in patio furniture than they used to. In fact, just a few years ago, patio furniture was nothing more than a barbecue, and a plastic table with chairs. Today, this side of furniture has grown into a full-scale industry, with many different styles and materials to choose from, the latest addition being outdoor end tables. Outdoor end tables can serve many purposes to your patio. They can come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes, with many different storage compartments for your convenience. Like the rest of your patio furniture, they are also built with materials that can withstand most of the types of weather that could come your way. However, as with everything that is built for the outdoors, when extreme weather conditions are predicted, it would be best to store the end tables indoors or to cover them with something strong and durable. These versatile end tables can be made to suit any outdoor furniture set. As the outdoor furniture trend grows, buyers have more and more options to choose from when it comes to outdoor end tables. Patio pieces are no longer made in just white plastic; the end tables are also being made in many different styles. Adding a pair of these tables to your patio set can give just the right touch needed to your outdoor dйcor. They are made to be stylish in a number of ways. For example, like indoor furniture sets, outdoor sets can be modern, country, or antique looking. Outdoor end tables may be purchased to go with any of these styles. You may want to buy a matching pair of outdoor end tables for your patio, or you may choose to purchase only one, or more than two. Since they are so versatile, buyers and decorators have more of a choice in the number they want on their patio. For some patio styles, just one end table would suffice. However, for other styles, only a matching pair will do. Before making a decision on which outdoor end tables to buy, make sure to take a good look at what you already have on your patio, and what would go best with your set.