1. OLD SCHOOL METHOD: combine 3/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Heat the milk, water, and butter until warm, then add to the flour mixture.
3. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed with an electric mixer, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally.
4. Add 1/4 cup flour, beat 2 minutes at high speed.
5. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough, knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
6. Cover, let rest for 10 minutes.
7. Divide the dough into 12 pieces and shape into balls. Place in a greased 8 pie pan. Cover and let rise in a warm draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Go to Step #9!
8. BREAD MACHINE METHOD: Place the ingredients in the order required by your bread machine. With mine, I have to proof the yeast first in the sugar and water for 10-15 minutes. After proofing, do a regular 1-lb dough cycle in your machine. Mine takes 90 minutes. (NOTE- I'd recommend using closer to 2 1/2-3 cups flour for the bread machine method as mine tends to produce runny dough time to time.).
9. When the dough cycle's finished, divide the dough into 12 pieces and shape into balls. Place them into a greased 8 pie pan.
10. Bake at 375F for 20 minutes or until set. Remove from the pan and brush with melted butter if desired, serve warm and immediately.