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The hard and crunchy "Bavarian"-type pretzels you can buy in American supermarkets bear little resemblance to their soft and chewy German cousins. This knot of bread sprinkled with salt was the perfect accompaniment to the national beverage of Germany, beer. If you get the craving, you can find hot pretzels sold by street vendors in American cities, but here's an easy version the whole family can make at home.
Ingredients:
-
For the Dough:
- 1 Package Dry Active Yeast
- 1 Cup Lukewarm Water (110 Degrees)
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Tablespoons Softened Butter
- 3 Cups Flour, Divided
Additional Ingredients: - 2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
- Coarse Salt
Directions:
(Note: you can also use prepared bread dough from your grocer's freezer that's been thawed. Skip to the next step.)
Place the yeast, lukewarm water, and sugar into a small bowl and whisk until the yeast is blended. In a large bowl, blend the butter with 1 1/2 cups of the flour. Add the yeast mixture and stir until blended, then add the rest of the flour and continue to knead until the dough loses its stickiness. Let the dough rest and rise for about 20 minutes.
Divide the dough (homemade or prepared) into 12 pieces and roll into ropes about 15 inches long. Twist into a pretzel shape, or shapes of your own liking, firmly pinching the ends together. Let the dough rest for about ten minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a large kettle of water to boiling, then add baking soda and reduce to a simmer. Add the pretzels, a few at a time, and cook for about one minute on each side. Drain and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake in a 475 degree oven for 12 minutes.
To Make Pretzel Reuben Sandwiches:
Ingredients:
- 4 pretzels, split
- 4 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 4 Oz. Corned Beef
- 4 Oz. Sliced Swiss Cheese, Divided
- 1/2 Cup Sauerkraut, rinsed, drained and divided
Directions:
Slice each pretzel in half, and spread the bottom half with mustard. Place 1 oz. each of corned beef and Swiss cheese on the pretzel bottom and top with sauerkraut. Cap with the pretzel top.Important Note: Adult supervision and participation is required for this activity.
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