Recipe of the Week: Soft Pretzels with 3 Dipping Sauces

Serves: 4 people

Total Time: 70 Minutes Prep Time: 55 Minutes Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Ingredients:

Pretzel Dough

• 1 1/2 Cups of Warm Water
• 1 Packet of Active Dry or Instant Yeast
• 1 Teaspoon of Salt
• 1 Tablespoon of Brown Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon of Unsalted Butter, Melted
• 4 Cups of All-Purpose Flour, plus more for work surface
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Kosher Salt
• Coarse Sea Salt for Sprinkling

Baking Soda Bath

• 5 Quarts of Water
• 3/4 Cup of Baking Soda

Cheese Sauce

• 3 Tablespoons of Butter
• 3 Tablespoons of All-Purpose Flour
• 3/4 Cup of Milk
• 3/4 Cup of Beer (Larger or Light Ale)
• 1 1/2 Cups of Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
• Pinch of Salt and Pepper

Honey Mustard Sauce

• 1 Tablespoon of Whole Grain Mustard
• 2 Teaspoons of Honey
• 1 Teaspoon of Mayonnaise
• 1 Teaspoon of Dejon Mustard

Horseradish Sauce

• 1/3 Cup of Grated Fresh Horseradish
• 1 Tablespoon of Mayonnaise
• 1 Teaspoon of White Wine Vinegar
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Kosher Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1 Cup of Sour Cream
• Worcestershire Sauce to taste

Method of Preparation

Pretzel Dough

1. Preheat the oven to 450 F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly brush with oil.
2. Combine 1/2 cup of water, sugar, yeast, kosher salt, and melted butter in the bowl and mix.
3. Allow mixture to sit for 5 minutes or until it begins to foam.
4. Add the rest of the water and the 4 cups of flour and mix into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add a tablespoon or two of water.
5. Knead the dough until smooth.
6. Lightly oil a large bowl and place dough into the bowl while coating the dough in oil.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size; roughly 30 minutes
8. Once fully risen, turn the dough out onto a work surface and divide into 8 equal parts.
9. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope.
10. Make a U shape, twist the ends and bring to the middle to form the pretzel shape.
11. Place each pretzel in the boiling baking soda for 30 seconds then place on the sheet pan with parchment paper.
12. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

Baking Soda Bath

1. In a medium-sized pot, boil water.
2. Slowly add baking soda, stirring as you add until the baking soda is mostly dissolved.

Cheese Sauce

1. In a medium-sized sauce pot on medium heat, melt together the butter and flour to form a roux.
2. Add in the milk and beer and whisk until it becomes thick.
3. Whisk in the cheese until it is smooth.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

Honey Mustard Sauce

1. Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
2. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Horseradish Sauce

1. Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
2. Add salt and pepper to taste.

To Serve:

1. Place pretzels on a plate.
2. Put each dipping sauce in own container