Potato Buns

With the turn of Autumn, starchy vegetables are making an entrance into my life again.  It is once again the time of the potato; one of the glorious aspects of the Fall.

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Ingredients

Buns

• 2 cups water, warm
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. active dry yeast
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp. salt

Filling

• 1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 2-4 yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 Tbsp. purple onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup chickpeas, cooked
• 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Topping

• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. purple onion, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• ½ red bell pepper, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

To make the buns

1. Dissolve sugar in water
2. Add yeast to water and set aside to bloom
3. Once bloomed, add flours and salt in the same bowl and mix
4. Mix until well-combined
5. Let dough sit in bowl with damp towel on top to rise for 1-3 hours
6. With a damp hand, pull dough and fold over 4-5 times to form a dough mass
7. Form dough into a ball and let sit in bowl with damp towel to rise for another 1-3 hours

To make the filling

8. Steam potatoes for 15 minutes or until fork-tender
   1. I use a steam basket over a pot of boiling water to steam
9. Remove potatoes from steamer and mash in a medium bowl
10. Add onion, garlic, beans, vinegar, lemon, and spices
11. Mix to incorporate
12. Let mixture cool slightly for ease of assembly

To make the topping

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan on the stove at medium heat
2. Add the onion, garlic, and spices to the pan to sauté
3. Add the tomatoes and bell pepper
4. Sauté mixture until tomatoes release their juices and the mixture reduces slightly
5. Add salt and pepper to taste

To assemble

18. Flour a kitchen surface (counter or cutting board) to roll out dough
19. Divide dough into 6-8 pieces (less pieces will yield larger buns)
20. Flatten the pieces into small pizza-like discs with a thicker crust on outer edge
21. Spread filling over middle of buns
22. Place topping in the middle of the discs
23. Place buns on parchment sheet as oven preheats to 400°F
24. Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until buns are golden brown
25. Let rest for 10 minutes after taking buns out of oven
26. Serve and enjoy

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