How do I make good light yeast rolls? Love to have any bread making reciepes. How do I now if yeast is alive and active. My bread always turns out like rocks.

Here's a good one:

1 c milk
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp slt
1 pkg dry yeast
1/4 c lukewarm water
1 egg beaten
4 c all purpose flour
2 tbsp shortening

In small saucepan, combine milk, sugar, shortening and salt. Heat to lukewarm, In large bowl dissolve yeast in warm water, add egg and milk mixture, gradually stir in enough flour to make soft dough--turn out on floured board, knead 2-3 minutes so not sticky. Place in greased bowl, turn once. Let rise till doubled about 1 hour, punch down---let rest 10 minutes---To shape rolls into 10 X 8 rctangle about 3/4 " thick, cut into 2 1/2 inch strips, lightly rol each strip and place on greased baking pan, leaving 1/2 " space between each, cover and let rise about 30 minutes, preheat oven to 400 degrees, bake 12-15 minutes, till golden, let cool slightly:cool: