Labor Day Buffet of Homemade Hambuger Buns and a Grilled Burger Bar

For Labor Day, be traditional, but add a delicious twist! Make the buns and even though I'm no bread maker, I can make these and boy do the guest go WOW when they see them. Then I offer burgers, some with cheese - sharp white cheddar, smoked gouda, pepper jack, Swiss, or your favorites - some plain. Let everyone concoct their own favorite with such toppings as fried onions, balsamic grilled onions, assorted pickles, garden tomato slices, lettuce, grilled pineapple slices, guacamole, sweet pepper onion relish, crumbled blue cheese and bacon, tomato bacon relish, sauted mushrooms, corn mayonaisse, cherry catsup, candied jalapenos, etc. Happy Twirls

Homemade Hamburger Buns

2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water, plus
2 tablespoons warm water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt
3-1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1. Pour warm water into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle yeast on top.
2. Gently stir in oil and sugar. Let stand 5 minutes to activate yeast.
3. Add the egg and salt. Add enough flour to make a nice, soft dough, generally 3 1/2 C. is perfect, though you may need less.
4. On a floured surface, knead dough until it begins to feel smooth and elastic, about three to five minutes.
5. Without letting the dough rise, divide it into eight pieces, and shape each into a ball.
6. Place dough balls on greased baking sheets, leaving plenty of room for them to expand-- they grow a lot.
7. Cover dough with a cloth and let rise about 10 minutes in a warm place.
8. Bake rolls 10-12 minutes, until golden in a preheated 425 degree oven; cool on racks and serve with your favorite grilled hamburgers.