Created by lovinretirement on October 1, 2018
Step 1: Combine flour, salt and onion powder in a large bowl with a wire whisk.
Step 2: Pour 1/2 cup of the water into another large bowl, along with the 1/4 cup sugar and oil. Pour the other half cup of water in a cup along with 1 teaspoon sugar and yeast. Let yeast mixture "bloom"** for about 5 minutes. Then pour the yeast into bowl with water, sugar and oil, and also add beaten egg. Whisk it in.
Step 3: Then add the flour mixture a cup at a time and mix in with a spoon until it gets too thick to work with. Then use your hands to mix it in.
Step 4: On a clean surface, sprinkle about 1/4 cup of additional flour. Dump dough out onto floured surface and knead for 10 minutes. If it gets too sticky, spray the surface with non-stick spray instead of using more flour. Then place the dough in a lightly greased bowl or other container large enough to allow it to at least double in bulk, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise for about 60 to 70 minutes, till it's just about doubled.
Step 5: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased work surface, and pat/roll it into a 12" x 17" rectangle if making buns. If making a loaf of bread, roll into an 8" x 12" rectangle.
Step 6: Sprinkle the dough with the minced onion, and press/roll it into the surface gently.
Step 7: Starting with a short end, roll the dough into a log, sealing the ends and side seam.
Step 8: If making buns, cut the log into eight slices.
Step 9: Place the buns on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, flattening them to about 3" wide. Cover them with a kitchen towel, and allow them to rise in a warm place till they're very puffy, about 1 hour. Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 375°F.
Step 10: If making a loaf of bread, roll it up and put it in a loaf baking pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cover and let rise.
Step 11: Bake the buns or bread in preheated 375°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until they're golden brown and and sound hollow when you tap them on the bottom.
Step 12: Remove them from the oven, and cool on a rack. When completely cool, wrap in plastic, and store at room temperature
Step 13:
Step 14: **Blooming yeast: Allowing yeast, warm water and sugar to get foamy. That way you know the yeast is active and working.