Pretzels

Ingredients for 10 servings:

• 500 g flour
• 1 packet of yeast (dry yeast)
• ¼ tsp sugar
• 350 ml milk, lukewarm
• Salt, fine
• 1 ½ liters of water
• 2 tbsp Baking soda (baking soda from supermarkets, usually found with spices)
• Salt, coarse for sprinkling

Instructions

Working time approx. 45 minutes; Total time approx. 45 minutes

Mix the flour, yeast, and sugar together. Add the milk and salt, and knead to form a yeast dough. Cover and let rest for about 45 minutes, until it has roughly doubled in size. Knead the dough well a few more times on a floured surface and shape it into a roll about 20cm long. Cut the roll into about 10-12 pieces, shape them into long strands (by rolling or twisting), and then shape them into pretzels. Bring about 1.5 liters of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a boil in a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the pretzels, one at a time, to the boiling liquid and cook for about 20-30 seconds, submerging them periodically. Remove with a slotted spoon and let drain. Place the cooked pretzels on a greased baking sheet (or baking paper) and sprinkle with coarse salt (also delicious with sesame, cheese, poppy seeds, etc.) and bake at 180°C for about 25-30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the remaining pretzels, drain them, and then bake. The second sheet will take a few minutes less.