Great British Bake Off’s north-east star Norman Calder presents his latest video with the Press and Journal in association with Laing’s of Inverurie.
The retired Merchant Navy radio officer from Buckie, won the hearts of millions of viewers with his unassuming manner and rustic cooking style when he appeared on the BBC phenomenon.
The 67-year-old, who has been dubbed “Stormin’ Norman”, said he nearly backed out of the show after applying. But his excited family left him with no choice but to go through with it.
Now, in an exclusive video series filmed for the Press and Journal website, Norman is using the luxury cooking equipment and kitchens of Laing’s of Inverurie, leader in the design, supply and installation of luxury kitchens for over 20 years, to teach burgeoning bakers new tricks.
This week, it’s sweet dinner rolls.
Ingredients
The dough
500g strong white flour
60g caster sugar
40g butter
2 large eggs
15g dried yeast
10g salt
160ml milk
135ml water
50g melted butter and 50g caster sugar for inside the rolls.
Method
Place all the ingredients in a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, taking care to keep the salt and yeast apart.
Mix well and knead for 5 minutes in the bowl before turning out on to a floured surface and knead for a further 8 minutes.
Return the dough to the bowl, cover and leave in a warm place for just over an hour.
Knock back your dough but do not overwork and divide into two equal portions, roughly these will be around 450g each.
Roll out the first piece into a circle round 12” to 14” diameter.
Brush to rolled out dough with melted butter and sprinkle with caster sugar.
Then divide in four and divide each quarter into three pieces.
Repeat this for the second piece of dough. Starting at the outside edge roll each piece towards the centre, tucking the pointed ends underneath.
Place the completed rolls on a baking tray, on baking parchment and cover with a polythene or a large plastic box and leave to prove for 1 hour then bake at 200 degrees C fan for 15 to 18 minutes or until nicely browned.
On removal from the oven you can brush with melted butter if you wish or allow them to cool before coating in icing or a sprinkle of icing sugar.
