Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brown the sausage in a skillet over
medium heat. Add the onions and jalapenos. Continue to cook for 3
minutes. Remove from the heat and drain on a paper-lined plate. Set
aside and cool to room temperature. Combine the yeast, sugar, and 2
tablespoons of the oil in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a
dough hook. Add the water.
With the mixer on low speed, beat the mixture for about 4 minutes to
dissolve the yeast. If the yeast mixture doesn't begin to foam after a
few minutes, it means it's not active and will have to be replaced. In a
separate large mixing bowl, combine the flour, 1/2 cup plus 2
tablespoons of the cornmeal, salt, sausage mixture, and cheese. Add this
mixture. Mix on low speed until it lightly comes together, then increase
the speed to medium and beat until the mixture pulls away from the sides
of the bowl, forms a ball, and climbs slightly up the dough hook. Remove
the dough from the bowl.
Coat the dough with the remaining teaspoon vegetable oil. Return the
dough to the bowl and turn it to oil all sides. Cover the bowl with
plastic wrap, set in a warm, draft-free place, and let rise until
doubled in size, about 2 hours. Remove the dough from the bowl and turn
it onto a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, gently roll and
form it into a narrow loaf about 24 inches long. Cut the dough into 18
equal pieces . (each about 2 1/2 ounces) With the palm of your hand,
roll the portions on a lightly floured surface to form small round
rolls.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle it with the
remaining 2 tablespoons cornmeal. Place the rolls about 1-inch apart on
the paper. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm,
draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Using a sharp
knife, make a small X on top of each roll. Bake until golden brown,
about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve w |
