Around the World in 80 Foods Blog...Today It's Ausytes...Lydia's Favorite Lithuanian Bacon Buns!

Okay....so today, I wanted to introduce you all to my friend Lydia's most beloved, melt in your mouth yeast rolls stuffed with  smoked turkey bacon and onions! These tender little "bread pillows" as she calls them, are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a beautiful accompaniment with dinner! They are also great as on-the-go snacks when you are running late and desperately in need of something quick, filling and nutritious! Called "Ausytes" in their native country of Lithuania, these festive breads are baked for special occasions and holidays...and it's no wonder! Once you bite into them, you'll feel the Lithuanian celebratory spirit with every morsel! Here's Lydia's recipe below!

Ausytes:

1 pound smoked turkey bacon 

1 large onion

1 cup milk

half cup butter or shortening

2 eggs

2 cups white unbleached flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 pkg. yeast (about 1 Tbsp)

1 tsp salt

a fourth cup sugar

Directions: 

Cook bacon and onion (finely chopped) together with a little bit of water over a slow fire until the bacon is cooked and onions are translucent. Set aside. Combine the milk and butter in a saucepan, place over low heat until the butter is just melted, set aside. Combine all of the dry ingredients, make a well in the center and pour in the milk/butter mixture (should be warm, not scalding). Add the eggs and combine. Knead by hand 10 minutes, then place in a greased bowl and let rise 45 min. Punch the dough down and knead out all the bubbles, let rise again 30 min. Roll out the dough approximately half and inch thick and cut out two and one fourth inch circles (approximately)...fill the center of each roll with some of the bacon/onion mixture. Pull the sides of the circle together like drawing the strings of a coin purse, pinch and seal, roll between both hands a little bit to make a smooth shape, place pinched side down on a greased baking sheet to let rise 1 hr. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.