{Tasty} Tuesday

Hot soft pretzels & football go together like peanut butter & jelly.  

We had a Bronco Party on Saturday (still too soon to discuss the results) where Bferg requested homemade pretzels.  The best thing about having a Foodie Husband is that he forwarded me the recipe that he found & I had everything we needed to make them.

Soft Pretzels

1 1/2 Cups Warm Water

1 Tbs Sugar

2 tsp Kosher Salt

2 1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast (1 Pkg)

4 1/2 Cups Flour

4 Tbs Unsalted Butter, melted

10 Cups Water

2/3 Cups Baking Soda

1 Egg Yolk + 1 Tbs Water, whisked together (for egg wash)

Coarse Salt

1. Combine the water, sugar & salt in a mixing bowl & sprinkle the yeast on top.  Allow to sit for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to foam.

2. Add the flour & melted butter.  Use a dough hook attachment on low speed until all the ingredients are combined.  Increase the mixer speed to medium & knead until the dough is smooth & pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 4-5 minutes.

3. Remove the dough from the mixer & place in a well oiled, clean bowl.  Cover with plastic wrap & place in warm spot until the dough has doubled in size; about 45-60 minutes.

4. Preheat the oven to 450* & line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper brushed with oil  (Or a Silpat not brushed with oil).  Set aside.

5. Combine the water & baking soda in a large pot & bring to a rolling boil.

6. Turn out dough onto a well oiled surface & divide into 8 equal pieces.  Roll each piece into a 24 inch rope.  Make a U with the rope & then cross them over each other to make the shape of a pretzel.  Set each pretzel aside.

7. Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 2 or 3 at a time (don't overcrowd your pot) & cook for 30 seconds.  Place the boiled pretzels on the prepared baking sheet.

8. Brush each pretzel with the egg wash & then sprinkle with coarse salt. 

9. Bake until dark golden in color, about 14 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool at least 5 minutes before serving.

Finished Pretzel.
I just used kosher salt because I didn't have coarse.
 I also made half of the batch cinnamon/sugar.

Poor Bferg watching the game.
He was stressed to put it mildly.