Saturday, January 30, 2010

Making homemade pretzels


There is nothing like homemade bread of any kind... won't you agree with me? *grin*
For 7 years now we mill organic wheat such as spelt and red wheat . We also have soft white for our pastries . This wheat are the best tasting wheat ever, not to mention - it is healthier !
When freshly milled the flour is warm and makes the best breads.
Today kate told me she wanted to make some pretzels . We used white flour instead and they turned up wonderful.
It is snowing ... a lovely day for us. We knew it would be snowing today so yesterday Mark placed hay bales for the animals and they all seems to be fine. *grin*
I will post some pictures later on.... there is something *very* special about the snow .... my children , of course, are the first ones to show the excitement.... they spent almost all day sliding on the snow ... grin... I love to see them entering our farm kitchen for a small break and seen their red cheeks and shine eyes .....
well..... Kate and I stayed in most of the day... I painted and work on a polar bear and only wish he was ready for pictures ... would had been perfect ,no? *grin*
Soon, we will have a our supper and then practice our marionette play.*grin*
This was a new recipe that I got online and we found surprisingly good.



The girls and I rather have our dough very soft because it produces the best breads!



Yum! I am counting my blessings today.... so many.....smiling...
Recipe:
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 package active dry yeast
22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil, for pan
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Pretzel salt
Directions
Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.
In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.
Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.


6 comments:

b.b.flockling * Rose said...

These pretzels look sooo yummy, Pat! I called Robert over to look at them and I believe we shall give it a try...Charlie has been making bread in the mornings for our lunch and this would be a great surprise for the children. Thank you for sharing!! love, Rosa

Woolytales Miniatures said...

Rosa, tell Robert I added the recipe.... it is easy to make , One can also brush a little butter after the pretzels are ready and shake a little cinammon and sugar.... your children will love itlove~

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Tita!!! You will never believe this; we were on the same wave length today! I posted on BREAD too! I have been working on homework all day, and then I just got in from grocery shopping; Rosa left a message on my post saying that she had just come from your pretzel post! OH I LOVE HOMEMADE SOFT PRETZELS! Isn't that funny that we would be thinking about the same thing? How are you besides blessed, having fun, talented.....you are all those things! I can't wait to see your polar bear!! Bisous, Nita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Tita! Oh you sweet dear! Thank you for keeping me in your prayers...I can experience the peace and love that flows from such prayers! Again, a wonderful and fun post on BREAD! We were both hungry today!!! Have a wonderful Sunday, Nita

Christel said...

Patricia, thank you for the recipie! I will definately try it! Anita made me sooo hungry this morning with her yummy bread post, and now here, a chance to make my own yummy, chewy, buttery, pretzels! xooxo Christel

Woolytales Miniatures said...

Yes Nita, that is nothing like a good homemade bread...mmm.. perhaps homemade muzzarella cheese!*grin*
Hi Cristel~ i am glad you will give it a try.... Like I said to Rosa above, you can make it sweet and it is so good!!!!!!!!!!!*smiles*

 
Design by Lawnydesigns