I've also come to find out that there are pretty heated discussions on these topics among pretzel aficionados! It's safe to say one could spend a fair amount of time traveling around and still fail to encounter all the variants. There are countless variations not only in the final shape, but also in the toppings and accompanying condiments. I can confidently say I ate more pretzels during that week-long trip than in all the previous years of my life combined.Īnd there are so many ways to enjoy pretzels. #German pretzel series#It seemed our entire time in Germany consisted of a series of strung-together visits to these fine establishments. We'd duck the incessant rain by dropping in on a beer hall where we’d have sausage with sauerkraut, a laugenbrezel (pretzel), and a maß (1 liter) of beer. In recalling my travels through Germany a few years back, my memories of these beer halls are still fresh. My natural desire to raise my voice and tell a few stories was only matched by the desire for a seriously soft (sourdough) pretzel. People were packed tight with broad grins, large mugs of beer, and that happy demeanor that only comes when the world outside is forgotten. An unknown, or perhaps forgotten, craving began to bubble to the surface as I scanned for an empty bench. Store any leftover pretzels, well-wrapped, for up to 3 days on the counter freeze for longer storage.As I walked through the two enormous wooden doors of the German beer hall, each host to a gold-emblazoned crown, my senses were first assaulted by the aromas of beer, mustard, and sauerkraut. Remove them from the oven, and cool on a rack. To bake the pretzels: Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the pretzels are well-browned. Sprinkle the pretzels with coarse sea salt, kosher salt, or pretzel salt, if desired. Using a sharp knife or lame, slash each pretzel horizontally across its base. Transfer boiled pretzels back to their baking sheets. To boil the pretzels: Put 3 or 4 pretzels at a time into the boiling water and cook for 1 minute without turning over. Prepare the water bath by bringing the water and baking soda to a boil in a wide pot. While the pretzels are chilling, preheat your oven to 450☏. It will take about 60 minutes for the pretzels to chill thoroughly. Otherwise, let the pretzels rest and rise for about 30 minutes before refrigerating. If your kitchen is particularly warm, place the pans into the refrigerator immediately. When all the pretzels have been shaped, cover them with lightly greased plastic wrap (or your favorite dough cover). To shape the pretzels: Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll it into an 18” to 22”-long rope. Shape each piece into a rough log, cover, and let rest for about 20 minutes this rest will make the pretzels easier to shape. Gently deflate the dough and divide it into 10 pieces each will weigh about 100g. Re-cover the bowl, and let the dough rise for another 45 minutes. This process, which helps develop the dough, is called a fold. Turn the bowl 90° and repeat repeat twice more (for a total of four times), turning the bowl 90° each time. Bring the dough up from the bottom of the bowl and fold it over on top of itself. Uncover the bowl and, using a bowl scraper or spatula, run the scraper or spatula down the inside far wall of the bowl. If you’re using a stand mixer, mix on low speed for 3 minutes to incorporate the ingredients, then on medium speed for about 5 minutes, or until the dough looks fairly well developed.Ĭover the bowl with plastic wrap or a reusable cover and allow it to rise for 45 minutes. Mix and knead to make a supple, elastic dough. Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer. To make the dough: Weigh your flour or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess.
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