Homemade Pretzels

YES, YES, YES with mustard please.
Ps. I would've put some jalapenos on top if I had any.

When I'm in Manila, I've got a wonderful kitchen to work in- it's really spacious and my mum has got a ton of equipment too! The downside is, produce isn't that fresh! Anyway, so with a great place to work in, I'd take a crack at things that are more consuming/tedious. These pretzels.. Well.. They do sort of fall into that category. But they're totally worth it! So.. Make them!

Letting the yeast rise.
I must confess.
This is a smell that I dislike.

Proving.

Sectioning and rolling.

Shaping.

Initial boiling.

Straining

Egg washing and salt sprinkling.

Before oven time.

After oven.

Soft Pretzels

from A Cozy Kitchen

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 package active dry yeast

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 ounces unsalted butter, melted

Vegetable oil, for bowl

10 cups water

2/3 cup baking soda

1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Pretzel salt or coarse salt to sprinkle

1. Combine water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes until foamy. 

2. Add the flour and butter. Using the dough hook attachment of the mixer, mix on low speed until well combined. Gradually increase the speed until the dough is pliable and smooth. 

3. Remove the dough from the bowl. Oil the bowl and return the dough to the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand in a place with warm temperature for 50 to 55 minutes until dough has doubled in size.

4. Preheat the oven to 230 degrees C. Line baking pans with parchment paper and brush with veg oil.

5. Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to boil in a saucepan.

6. Roll and portion out the dough and shape them.

7. Place the pretzels into the boiling water, not more than 3 at a time for 30 seconds. Drain, and place on the oiled parchment sheets. 

8. Brush the pretzels with the egg yolk mixture and sprinkle with the salt.

9. Bake until golden in color, around 12 to 15 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before serving.

It's actually not that hard, it's the clean up that's bothering! And having a mixer just does wonders! It's brilliant! I plan to buy a Kitchenaid Mixer for myself very soon!