all twisted up.

something fun to make with the kids....

Odin loves having friends over and they all have loved making these.

so this post is for all those who have asked about my pretzel recipe.

here it is (Abbie and Emily),

without further ado.

Pretzels

(this is easy to half- to make just a few for lunch boxes or a picnic)

4-4 1/2 cups flour (I use half whole wheat and unbleached)

1 package (or 2 1/4 tsp) dry active yeast

~in mixing bowl stir together 1 1/2 cup flour and yeast. Set remainder of flour aside.

additional add ins- if you want.... 2 tbs. flax, 2 tbs. wheat germ

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup sugar

2 tbsp. cooking oil ( I actually use coconut oil)

1 tsp. salt

~in a sauce pan heat and stir above ingredients until warm ( at least 120 degrees)

Add to flour mixture. Beat with mixer on low for 30 seconds. Beat on high for 3 minutes. Using a spoon add in as much of the remaining flour you can. The dough should form a ball.

Knead on a flour surface for 6-8 minutes. should be a stiff ball of dough that is elastic and smooth. Place dough in an oiled bowl, turning the dough so that it is lightly covered with oil. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size. ( about 90 minutes)

Punch dough down. Turn out an a floured surface, cover and let rise another 10 minutes. Roll dough into a 12x10 rectangle. cut 1/2 inch strips. With each strip stretch into about 14-16 inches long and twist into shape.... pressing the ends to seal.

put into a greased baking sheet (or silpat) and back at 475 for 4 minutes. Remove from oven and lower the temp. to 350.

3 quarts of boiling water

2 Tbs. salt

~ dissolve the salt in the boiling water. Lower the pretzels three at a time. Boil for 1 minute, turn them and boil for another minute. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain/let stand on cooling rack, or towel. Place pretzels on a well greased (or silpat) baking sheet.

1 slightly beaten egg white

1 Tbs. water

~ combine above ingredients, and brush over pretzels. Sprinkle pretzels with course sea salt, poppy seed, sesame seed or cinnamon/ sugar blend. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes (golden brown). remove from baking sheet and cool on wire rack.

:: if you are not careful... they will all get eaten in one sitting.... so use caution with little hands around... and live it up!::