Soft Pretzel ~ Bobby Flay

Source: Throwdown with Bobby Flay

Freshly baked pretzel from my very own oven....Couple of days ago, we watched Throwndown with Bobby Flay, Soft Pretzel....The only shop selling Pretzel in Singapore is a German Restaurant down in Upper Changi. So, since I've all the ingredients in my pantry, I decided to have a homemade soft pretzels for my family especially for my old man as he loves Pretzels.

Ingredients:
1½ cups warm water

2 tbsp light brown sugar

1 packet active dry yeast

3 oz (89g) unsalted butter ~ melted

2½ tsp kosher salt

4 ½ - 5 cups All-purpose flour

Vegetable oil

6 cups water

½ cup baking soda

1 whole egg ~ beaten

Coarse sea salt

Directions:

1. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper & spray liberally with vegetable/non-stick spray.
2. Combine water, sugar, yeast & butter in the bowl of a stand mixer & mix with the dough hook until combined.  Let sit for 5 mins.
3. Add salt & flour (4½ cups), mix on low speed until combined.  Increase the speed to medium & continue to mix for 7 mins or until smooth dough.
4. Oil/Spray with vegetable oil on a bowl, add the dough & spray top of the dough.  Cover with a plastic wrap & place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size ~ about 1 hour or more.
5. Preheat the oven to 425 deg or 200 C.  Bring the water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat & add the baking soda.
6. Remove the dough from the bowl & divide the dough into 12 – 14 equal pcs, about 3 oz each.  Roll the dough into a ball & set aside with plastic wrap for another 15 mins.  Roll each pcs into a long rope & make a “U” shape, then press the ends of the rope at the bottom of the “U” shape & pinch the ends.  Place shaped pretzels onto the oiled parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
7. Boil the pretzels in the water solution for abt 15-30 seconds, remove with a large flat slotted spatula, or a spider.
8. Place pretzels on each baking sheet, brush the tops with the egg wash & season liberally with the salt.
9. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes or until deeply golden brown.  Remove to a baking rack & let rest 5 mins before eating.  Dip into desired sauces.