27 March 2009

Snow Day!

You know all that warm "winter" weather we've been enjoying all season long...well to make up for lost time, March 26th (it's technically Spring now, ya know!) decided to dump over a foot of snow on us. I played Christmas music in the morning, had some friends over to help make cinnamon rolls, and enjoyed Taylor coming home at 1PM since his office closed early. It was a great day. And today has been just about as wonderful. Tay slept in, and we went outside and played while he shoveled snow. And this afternoon, I made homemade soft pretzels - SO yum. Warren helped me dump all the ingredients, stir it, and "punch" the dough. In his words - "Super dumping, Warren!". Thanks Lindsay Moss for hooking me up with the recipe. I'll never eat a mall pretzel again! (Recipe at the bottom for those who share my love of soft, buttery pretzels)

It's a little deep for Warren to handle.

"Why are you taking a picture!? Help me!"




Check it out!


I've already had 3...maybe 3 more for dinner??




Buttery and Soft Pretzels

  • 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 4 cups hot water
  • 1/4 cup kosher salt, for topping

    1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
    2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water. Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
    3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.
    4. When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is all shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
    5. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned.
    6. Spread a little butter on right as they come out of the oven and let it melt in. :) Or top however you'd like - parmesan, cinnamon/sugar, etc.

    8 comments:

    Laura said...

    I think little WARBUCKS is "tasty"!!! He is so CUTE!

    Secondly, I just may have to try the pretzel recipe this weekend... Somehow Stephanie, you seem to be a magnet for good recipes. (Enchiladas!!!) They just flock to you. :)

    Sarah said...

    WOW those icicles are amazing!

    Melissa Lasley said...

    Steph, thanks for the recipe, mine wants you to boil the pretzels, and it just takes too much time. I can't wait to try them.

    Mrs. Horton said...

    Those pretzels sound so yummy, I think I may have to try making them.

    And I agree with Laura, I think Warren is the tasty one!

    I can't believe you're due in a week!

    wray and nat said...

    That looks pretty yummy, i need to get your apple pie recipe.

    Katie said...

    I'm definitely making the pretzels. Sorry about the snow, that's what you get for making fun the Iowans. ;) AND I can't wait for your baby to come (probably not as much as you can't wait. . .but I am excited). YEA!

    GordonandChrissy said...

    Tasty? That's adorable. We can't believe you're due in a week either!!! Yay!!!

    And, that snow looks so fun. I love that you played Christmas music in the morning, I would've done the exact same thing.

    Kati said...

    Hey Steph! Have you had your baby yet?? Warren is so cute! I'm lovin' his red hair and he looks a lot like you. Did I say that in another post? Anyway, he's stinkin' cute. Can't wait to see new baby Stephanie!!