Mix together dry ingredients. Mix together water and butter; add to dry ingredients. Mix and knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise until doubled (about an hour and a half). Punch down and divide dough into palm-sized lumps. Divide each of those into three balls. Nestle three balls together in each hole of lightly greased muffin pans. Cover with a clean tea towel and allow to rise until doubled (about 45 minutes). Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until hollow sounding when knocked on the bottom. Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack. Makes about 4 dozen.