Salty & Sweet Pretzels

I am a slacker before anything I know, I have been really lazy and that is my excuse. I have been really busy lately, and when I do find free time I am resting :( I made these quite a while back in honor of Independence Day, and I never got around to posting them until now. I am going to try to catch up, and fill up this blog with recipes and other stuff all of this week because this coming Saturday I will bid my technology good bye, and venture to Ohio. I am still bringing my laptop but sadly My grandma doesn't have any Internet. I thought of trying to steal one of her neighbors but, that always brings up the problem of figuring out the password :( I will have to wait until my uncle comes over with his glorious Air card, and allows me to have full Internet access to catch up with my "stuff".

Soft Pretzel Recipe

1 1/2 cup warm water
1 1/8 tsp active dry yeast (1 1/2 pkg)2 tbsp brown sugar
1 1/8 tsp salt
1 cup bread flour
3 cups regular flour
2 cups warm water
2 tbsp baking soda
To taste, coarse salt
2 - 4 tbsp vegan butter (melted)

~~.`//Directions// '.~~
Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add sugar, salt and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise at least 1/2 hour.

While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 tbsp baking soda. Be certain to stir often.

After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope(about 1/2" or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Allow pretzels to rise again ( But if you are inexperienced like me and take FOREVER to do it, the pretzels will rise while making the pretzel shape).

Add Sea salt to the pretzels if you like, or wait till they are done and add a cinnamon sugar topping

Bake in oven at 450°F for about 10 minutes or until go

lden. Brush with melted butter and enjoy!