1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. salt
2 pkgs. active dry yeast
About 6 c. all purpose flour
Butter, butter flavor shortening
1 egg
Salad oil

Prepare about 4 1/2 hours before serving or up to 3 days ahead.

1. In large bowl, combine sugar, salt, yeast and 2 1/2 cups flour. In 1 quart saucepan over low heat, heat 2 cups water and 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) or shortening until very warm (120 to 130 degrees).

2. With mixer at low speed, gradually beat liquid into dry ingredients just until blended. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes. Beat in egg and 3/4 cup flour; continue beating 2 minutes, scraping bowl often with rubber spatula. With spoon, stir in 2 1/2 cups flour.

3. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, working in more flour (about 1/2 cup) while kneading. Shape dough into ball; place in greased large bowl, turning dough to grease top. Cover, let rise in warm place, 80 to 85 degrees, until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.

4. Punch down dough. Shape all or part of dough into rolls as below: cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Then bake as in Step 7, or, turn dough over, brush with salad oil. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate, punching down dough occasionally until ready to use.

5. About 2 1/2 hours before serving, grease pan. Shape rolls as desired; place in pan.

6. Cover rolls; let rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours. Brush with melted butter.

7. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake rolls 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and rolls sound hollow when lightly tapped. Remove and serve warm. Entire recipe makes 36 rolls, about 120 calories each.

EASY CURVES:

Grease 2 1/2" muffin pan cups. Shape dough into 2" balls. Place 1 ball in each cup. Cut each ball in half, then into quarters, almost cutting through. Proceed as in Step 6.

PAN ROLLS:

Grease 9" pan. Shape dough into 2" balls. Place in pan. Proceed as in Step 6.

DINNER ROLLS:

Grease cookie sheet. Shape dough into 2" balls. With hands, roll balls 3" long, tapering ends, place 2" apart. Place shallow slash down center, proceed as in Step 6.