This weekend we ate pretzels…
Pretzels that were fluffy, and warm, and absolutely covered in flaky sea salt. Pretzels that were part of a homemade batch baked fresh that morning and later shared at my dining room table with friends over a communal bowl of dijon mustard and a mildly competitive game crazy eights.
I was mid-bite in a pretzel, while Jeremy was generously offering the mustard bowl around the table when our friend Evan announced: “FYI I’m a double-dip only kind of guy…”
I immediately burst into laughter so hard that I had to put my hand to my mouth in an effort to stop myself from spewing bits of half-chewed pretzel all over our freshly dealt cards.
Truth: my reflexes were not even close to being fast enough to stop the food spray, but I couldn’t even bring myself to feel the least bit embarrassed over the crumbs that escaped my lips because it was just such a good moment.
Just one of those special moments where you’re reminded just how awesome your friends are. One of those moments where I couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky to have such wonderful people crowded around my dining room table on a lazy Saturday evening – people who feel as strongly in favour of double dipping as I do no less. Just one of those moments where I felt so grateful to call these people who genuinely care about others my friends. People who listen and offer advice. People who appreciate the uniqueness of all individuals. People who crack hilarious jokes and who aren’t afraid to laugh at themselves. People who truly appreciate the value of warm pretzels and a good old fashioned game of cards…
Most of the time I live my life in a state of indecisiveness and uncertainty. I find making decisions and feeling secure in my life to be very difficult. I find it really hard to feel “sure” about anything. But there were definitely a few things I became sure of that night…
I’m sure that when you surround yourself with good people – no matter what is happening – life always makes sense.
I’m sure that I’m incredibly lucky and grateful to have the relationships that I do in my life.
I’m sure that the only thing I have control of is here and now… I’m sure that worrying about the future instead of taking action will ultimately do nothing but spoil this moment… this one right here that has all the potential to be as beautiful and carefree, and happy as I allow it to be.
I’m sure when you strike up a game of “Bullshit” with grown adults over a few beers… things are bound to get a little competitive – (but like in the best possible way)
And I’m sure about homemade soft pretzels… like I’m about 150% sure about them. When you serve them warm with mustard I’m certain they can heal wounds and subdue anxiety.
I’m sure there was nothing I would have rather done on a Saturday night than that. And I’m sure I want that for you too.
Scroll down to find the recipe for these Sea Salted Beer Pretzels, and make them your reality too.
Jumbo Soft Beer Pretzels
Makes: 6 pretzels
Things you need…
1 1/4 cup beer, warmed
1 pckg yeast
3 tbsp honey
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 cups all purpose flour
1 egg beaten (for eggwash)
1/4 cup baking soda
water (for boiling)
Toppings:
Course Salt
How to make…
In a large mixing bowl fitted with the dough hook combine warmed beer with 1 tbsp of the honey and the package of yeast. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to proof until foamy. Stir in the rest of the sugar and melted butter. Turn mixer on low, and add the flour 1 cup at a time, mixing with the dough hook until just combined before each addition until you have added all the flour. If your dough is a little bit sticky, just add in flour 1 tbsp at a time until it pulls away from the edges of the bowl. Turn mixer onto medium-high and allow to knead until dough is smooth and elastic – about 5 minutes.
Turn dough out and knead by hand to shape into a ball. Grease your bowl with olive oil and set the dough back in. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until doubled.
Once your dough has risen, turn it out onto a clean work surface, that has not been floured. You want your dough to kind of stick to the work surface as this will make it easier to shape. Cut dough into 8 equal parts. Use your hands to roll each piece into about a 20 inch long rope. Work from the middle of the piece of dough and work your way to the edges to stretch and roll at the same time. Make a U shape with the dough rope bring the ends into the middle of the U shape and twist them over each other to link and press the ends into the bottom of the pretzel U gently. Set pretzel onto prepared baking sheet & repeat with remaining dough pieces.
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Bring a large pot of water to boil with 1/4 cup of baking soda.
Once you water is boiling, add pretzels to the water 1 at a time and let them boil for 30 seconds. Give them a couple dunks under the water while they boil. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water and place back onto baking sheets.
Brush the pretzels with your egg wash. Sprinkle the pretzels generously with coarse salt.
Place in the oven to bake for 12-14 minutes or until a nice golden brown colour. Remove from the oven and serve warm (with mustard, mmhmmm)
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