If "cheating," start by making the yeast mixture, combining the yeast and warm milk. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture is bubbly or foamy. Reduce the milk in the recipe to ½ cup.
In a microwave-proof measuring cup or bowl, heat ¾ cup milk (reduce to ½ cup milk if you are "cheating") and 2 tablespoons butter for 35 seconds in your microwave. Set aside--the butter will continue to melt.
Add 2 cups of the flour plus the salt to a standing mixer with a dough hook. Add the starter and the milk/butter mixture (and yeast mixture, if you're cheating). On low speed, mix the dough and add ¼ cup of flour at a time until a soft dough ball forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Knead until dough is smooth and elastic, about two minutes. The dough will be slightly sticky. Cover the bowl with a dish towel and set aside in a warm, draft-free area to rise for one hour. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin (I save my used butter wraps in the freezer to make this step a breeze).
After one hour, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, and divide it into thirds. You should have 36 pieces in total. Roll each piece into a ball.
Place three dough balls into each muffin cup. Cover with a dish towel and set aside in a warm, draft-free area to rise for another hour or two, until almost doubled in size.
Bake at 375° F (190° C) for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. While the rolls are baking, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and set aside.
After removing the rolls from the oven, brush the tops with the melted butter. If desired, top with extra sea salt, sesame seeds, or garlic salt.
Remove from pans and allow to cool on a wire rack.
ENJOY!
Notes
To make this recipe with only your starter, use it on a day when it's bubbly and has doubled in size (before your daily stirring), usually within 6-24 hours after a feeding. Otherwise add a little cheat yeast!
The recipe image shows 4 small dough balls instead of 3 because I was making "lucky" four-leaf clover dinner rolls for St. Patrick's Day. If you want to do this, divide the 12 equal larger dough balls into 4 pieces each, resulting in 38 pieces total. For best results, use 3 pieces per muffin cup.