So now it's about Parker House Rolls. This is why I never get anything done, I'm always chasing around in information circles!

I'm reading along in Empire Falls, the book that Kathryn sent me **thanks again, Miz Tejas!** last week. A major feature of the book is the Empire Grill. It's previous owner was Roger Sperry, and they list his favorite special as "Deep-Fried Haddock with Tartar Sauce, Whipped Potatoes with Beef Gravy, a side of Apple Sauce and Parker House Rolls". And I smile, because Grandma Bea's favorite meal was Roast Beef, Whipped Potatoes with Beef Gravy (that woman could hand-beat potatoes to a fine tune), Peas, and Parker House Rolls. I knew the Parker House Rolls as these rolls you bought pre-made, then baked them up in the oven. But then a little bell went off in my head.

I have a jewelry box that contains bits and pieces of Grandma Bea's stuff. There are hankies and jewelry (most broken, none of precious metals but some quite sparkly) and a little leather dance book. The dance book was from a Washington's Birthday Dance at a fraternity in 1923. Grandma Bea would have been 16, and she was in attendance (and not, I may add, with my future grandpa *grin*).

The menu for this dance was: Stuffed Oranges with frozen fruit, Wafers, Olives, Pickles, Celery, Roast Leg of Lamb, Irish and Sweet Potatoes, Lettuce Salad, Dressing, and.....Parker House Rolls. And obviously these wouldn't have been the pre-made kind. So I did a little internet sleuthing. (What was life like before google?)

Well, I found this answer here:
These are yeast-raised dinner rolls created accidently by the baker at Boston's Parker House Hotel in the 1870s. This, incidentally, is the same place that gave us Boston Creme Pie. I know where I'm heading the next time I'm in Boston!

Now the unanswerable question is: why did Grandma Bea always serve Parker House Rolls? hmmmm.