I mixed water, salt, sugar, yeast, and flour, kneaded the dough until it felt right, and then set it aside to rest. There is yeast in the dough, but it didn't rise very much, so after an hour or so I started shaping the pretzels. First, I made nuggets and put them in a baking soda bath for a couple of minutes. This is supposed to give the pretzels a darker crust.
Then they got sprinkled with kosher salt,
and baked. With the second half of the dough, I made twists, dunked them in the baking soda bath, and baked.
And voilà! Pretzels!
My opinion? Three stars. They're not bad, but I'm not sure if they're worth the effort. John liked them, but he'll eat almost anything. I might try them again, but bake them a little longer, possibly substitute beer for water in the recipe, or coat them with cinnamon-sugar. Lots of things are made better with cinnamon and sugar!
I give you 7 stars for even attempting it and 10 stars for making edible pretzels!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed! I've never even attempted pretzels, so they look pretty good to me!
ReplyDeleteThey look great, Bonny! Brian is always trying to make the Perfect Pretzel, and apparently, he's had some really good luck. (I wouldn't know -- he's never made them when I'm around, so I've never tried them myself.) His advice is . . . beer (both to drink while making AND in the ingredient list!) and lots of practice. And you're right -- cinnamon-sugar makes most things better!
ReplyDeleteThey look yummy!! But, like you, I'm not sure I want to make the effort (lazy person that I am). Reminds me of the time I made bagels. They turned out fine - really good - but it was easier/cheaper to get them at the store.
ReplyDeleteWith cinnamon and sugar sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteOh those look delicious! And, I agree with Carole in her starring system! Well Done!! And, you know what they say about all things - practice makes perfect!!
ReplyDeleteCinnamon and sugar vote here as well! The do look delicious Bonny!
ReplyDeleteThe look delicious, but beer, cinnamon sugar and a longer bake could be the trick (not that I would know). :)
ReplyDeleteTim (DH) makes his with lye (you can buy it online) instead of baking soda and that adds the danger factor :-) and is good. I think he uses the NYT recipe?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info.! I'll have to look up the recipe, and maybe order some lye. Baking is much more interesting when there's an element of danger. :-)
DeleteOh wow! Go you!!
ReplyDeleteThose look SO good! Sadly, my husband is diabetic so I try not to tempt him with carbo foods. And I don't need the calories that would come when I ate the entire batch myself...
ReplyDeleteBonnie I find pretzel making tedious and not as satisfactory as AUNT ANNIES. But good for you for trying.
ReplyDeleteAuntie Anne's definitely wins for ease and convenience!
DeleteThe pretzels look great from here. I agree with Carole, you get a 10 for attempting them. I can't believe they aren't better than store bought. They are certainly much fresher. I think I am going to attempt chana dal snacks this weekend. It looks somewhat challenging, but doable. I don't even know if I will like them, but that is part of the journey. Good for you for continuing to be curious and acting on your curiosity!
ReplyDeletethey look delicious and I have never made pretzels from scratch so yay for you!!!
ReplyDeleteCatching up here. Your knitting - the Hitchhiker a la hemp, the cowl, and the baby socks look lovely. I have never tried pretzels but yours look delicious. Cinnamon and sugar is worth a try if you feel like making them again. And I'm with you, I don't like glitter sprayed on plants and I rather prefer daisies and carnations in natural colors.
ReplyDeleteoh my ... this could be a dangerous rabbit hole! I do love the idea of beer - in the batter and in a glass, alongside the recipe :-)
ReplyDelete