Pretzels

Due to the flooding in Iowa, the dental school was closed this past week and Erin used her extra time to try making homemade pretzels. I was very impressed and thought I'd post this unique recipe. Making these would be a fun family/group activity. Note that this recipe is from a bread machine cookbook (Better Homes and Gardens) and so the dough was made in our bread machine.


Place the following ingredients in your bread machine and select the Dough cycle. Those listed are for 1 1/2 lbs. (those in parenthesis are for 2 lbs.):

• 1 cup (1 1/3 cup) milk
• 2 T. (3 T.) water
• 1 T. (4 tsp.) cooking oil
• 3 cups (4 cups) bread flour
• 2 T. (3 T.) sugar
• 3/4 tsp. (1 tsp.) salt
• 1 1/4 tsp. (1 1/2 tsp.) active dry yeast

When dough cycle is complete, remove dough. Punch down. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Grease 2 large baking sheets; set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the 1 1/2 lb. dough into a 12 x 8" rectangle. Cut lengthwise into sixteen 12 x 1/2" strips. (Roll 2 lb. dough into a 12 x 11" rectangle; cut lengthwise into twenty-two 12 x 1/2" strips.) Gently roll the strips into 16" ropes.

Shape each pretzel by crossing 1 end of a rope over the other to form a circle, overlapping about 4 inches from each end. Take 1 end of dough in each hand and twist once at the point where the dough overlaps. Carefully lift each end across to the edge of the circle opposite it. Tuck ends under edges to make a pretzel shape; moisten ends and press to seal. Place on the prepared baking sheets. Do not let rise.

Bake in a 475 degree oven for 4 minutes. Remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, generously grease another 2 large baking sheets; set aside. In a large pot bring ~8 cups of water + 2 T. salt to boiling. Add pretzels, 3 or 4 at a time, and boil gently for 2 minutes, turning once. Using a slotted spoon, remove pretzels from water and drain on paper towels. Let stand for a few seconds. Place pretzels, about 1/2" apart, on the prepared baking sheets.

In a small bowl combine 1 slightly beaten egg white and 1 T. of water; brush over pretzels. Sprinkle with coarse (kosher) salt and/or sesame seeds. (Note: I recommend making a few with cinnamon sugar.)

Bake in the 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheets; cool on wire racks.

Roll Recipe (for bread machine)

This recipe is from my parents-in-law. Whenever I've been at their home I'm always impressed with the delicious food they prepare. During this past winter break--I think it was New Year's Eve--my mother-in-law served these rolls with dinner and I thought they were the tastiest I have ever had. She was kind enough to send me the recipe.

I also should say a word about bread machines. My parents-in-law gave me a bread maker for my birthday last month. Erin and I have been using it constantly--the only problem is that there's not enough of us to keep up on all of the bread eating! One of the coolest things about it is that you can put it on the "dough" setting. It will make the dough for you, and then you can use the dough for whatever you want: dinner rolls, breadsticks, cinnamon rolls, pani popo, etc.

• 12 oz. Water, 75-85 degrees
• 4 1/2 T. Butter
• 4 1/2 cup Flour
• 5 T. Sugar
• 3 T. Dry Milk
• 1 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 3 tsp. Yeast

Put all ingredients into bread maker in order listed. Use the "dough" setting. When dough is finished, squeeze into rolls and bake on greased baking sheet at 350 (if you put them into the oven before pre-heating it, they will have some time to rise as it is pre-heating). Baking time: Approx. 15-20 min or until golden brown. Makes ~20 rolls.