Parker House rolls, a beloved culinary creation, hold a special place in the realm of dinner rolls. Their unique appearance and delightful texture set them apart from their counterparts, making them a cherished addition to any meal. To fully appreciate the essence of Parker House rolls, it is essential to delve into their defining characteristics and explore the factors that distinguish them from ordinary dinner rolls.
The Origin of Parker House Rolls: A Culinary Enigma
The genesis of Parker House rolls remains shrouded in culinary lore, with various tales attempting to unravel their origins. One prevalent narrative traces their creation to the Parker House Hotel in Boston during the 1870s. As the story goes, a disgruntled baker, in a moment of frustration, slammed a tray of rolls into the oven. To his astonishment, the impact resulted in the rolls emerging with their signature folded appearance.
Unraveling the Culinary Essence of Parker House Rolls
1. The Distinctive Fold: A Culinary Masterstroke
The defining characteristic of Parker House rolls lies in their unique fold, which sets them apart from other dinner rolls. This intricate fold is achieved by rolling out the dough into a rectangle, cutting it into squares, and then folding each square in half diagonally. The resulting shape not only adds visual appeal but also creates a tender, flaky interior.
2. The Buttery Embrace: A Symphony of Flavors
Parker House rolls are renowned for their rich, buttery flavor that tantalizes the taste buds. The generous use of butter in the dough imparts a velvety texture and a delectable aroma that permeates the air. The buttery exterior, when combined with the soft, fluffy interior, creates a harmonious culinary experience.
3. The Yeast-Raised Foundation: A Leavened Delight
Like most dinner rolls, Parker House rolls rely on yeast as the leavening agent. This magical ingredient allows the dough to rise, resulting in a light and airy texture. The fermentation process also contributes to the development of complex flavors, adding depth to the overall taste profile.
Comparative Analysis: Parker House Rolls vs. Dinner Rolls
While Parker House rolls share similarities with dinner rolls, they possess distinct qualities that set them apart.
1. The Fold Factor: A Culinary Distinction
The most striking difference between Parker House rolls and dinner rolls lies in their shape. The signature fold of Parker House rolls, as described earlier, is a defining characteristic that differentiates them from their round or oblong counterparts.
2. The Buttery Indulgence: A Flavorful Divide
Parker House rolls are generally more buttery than dinner rolls, resulting in a richer and more decadent flavor. This difference stems from the higher proportion of butter used in the dough, giving them a luxurious taste and texture.
3. The Texture Contrast: A Matter of Preference
The texture of Parker House rolls tends to be lighter and flakier compared to dinner rolls. The intricate folding technique creates layers within the dough, resulting in a delicate and airy crumb structure. Dinner rolls, on the other hand, often have a denser and chewier texture.
Parker House rolls, with their unique fold, buttery richness, and light texture, stand out as a distinct culinary creation within the realm of dinner rolls. Their exceptional qualities make them a beloved choice for both casual and formal gatherings. Understanding the defining characteristics of Parker House rolls allows us to fully appreciate their culinary essence and savor their delectable delights.
Alton Brown: a chewy, fluffy, golden roll with a rich pocket of butter in the middle
Alton’s recipe stood out for its use of egg yolks. Additionally, he shapes the rolls by centering a cube of chilled butter in the middle of each one before folding it over. As a result, each roll has a delicious pocket where the butter melts. (Although it might have also resulted in rolls that were easier to open.) ).
These rolls appeared a little oversized; if I were to make this again, I would definitely aim for at least 20 rolls. They had a texture that was similar to stretchy, fluffy milk bread on the inside and somewhat chewy outside. However, they were lacking in flavor to me. To be perfectly honest, Alton’s recipe calls for one of the highest amounts of salt, but they were so flavorless that I had to ask myself if I had forgotten to add it.
It’s interesting to note that many tasters commented that this roll was sweeter than others, though one person remarked that it “reminded me of a less sweet, less fluffy King’s Hawaiian roll.” Many others remarked on the stunning golden brown shell’s somewhat rough and dense texture. “It felt empty,” said one taster. “Not very balanced, and quite dense” said another. Considering how many people have left positive reviews for this roll, I want to try it again to make sure I really forgot the salt.
What are Parker House Rolls?
According to legend, a disgruntled baker at the Parker House Hotel in Boston invented these rolls in the 1870s when he slammed a tray of rolls into the oven. The impact caused the jolted rolls to emerge with their characteristic folded appearance.
Parker House rolls are basically buttery, yeast-based dinner rolls. They are better than regular dinner rolls, in my opinion, because of the distinctive fold that lets you pull parts apart to reveal a tender, steaming interior.
An overview of all the recipes I tested and why:
Parker House Rolls – Classic American Dinner Rolls – Food Wishes
Are Parker House Rolls dinner rolls?
Yes, Parker House Rolls are dinner rolls. But they are differentiated from other kinds of rolls by their signature layers. This makes Parker House Rolls easy to pull apart and separate to enjoy the softness inside. How Do You Heat Parker House Rolls?
Are Parker House Rolls easy to make?
Parker House Rolls are so decadent and heavenly, you can serve them at a nice dinner or for just a special treat during the week. They will be the talk of the table. They are super simple and easy to make too. It just takes a little time, but it’s really hard to mess these up.
Why are Parker House rolls called Parker House?
Parker House rolls are named after the Boston Parker House Hotel where they first originated during the 1870s. Legend has it that a disgruntled hotel baker threw a batch of unfinished rolls into the oven after an altercation with a hotel guest. The Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.
Do Parker House Rolls need one rise?
Parker House rolls are irresistibly soft, buttery, and only require one rise! This famous recipe from Boston Parker House Hotel is the ultimate dinner roll recipe for any holiday table or special gathering. Sheryl Julian was the Food Editor, reporter, stylist, and recipe developer for The Boston Globe for 30 years.