Pepperoni and Cheese Rolls

So, I hadn't had pepperoni/cheese rolls since my birthday party a year and a half ago, so I was swooning for some. I had gotten my favorite vegan cheese, Daiya - which actually stretches and melts, and passed the "four-year-old test" - in a shipment I ordered for Spring break. I also decided to try Yves brand 'pepperoni' slices (I usually make my own from seasoning up some facon--that's fake bacon, lol).

So I put two and two together, there...and decided to make pepperoni rolls :) I read online that they are found mainly in my state of West Virginia, and that they originated from Italian immigrants needing a meal that fits in your pocket to take into the coal mines with them. I'm not sure if the story's accurate, but the heavenly taste is.

I started making some homemade bread (still trying to perfect it - especially the baking time, as I've had to adjust to a new oven the past couple months). I made a double batch of dough to use half for the rolls - there were only six, but they were a fair portion each! The only qualm I had with these is that I might have added a drizzle of earth balance or oil to the fillings before rolling them up & popping them into the oven - they just lacked that trademark orange grease you get from real pepperoni! Next time, I'll use my facon pepperoni, because I make those with a sufficient amount of oil. Other than that, these were very delicious, and definitely satisfied my craving.

 

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