Caraway Fennel Soft Pretzels Recipes

GERMAN-STYLE SOFT PRETZELS WITH SWEET BROWN-MUSTARD BUTTER

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the water and yeast. Stir in the molasses and set aside until the yeast is bloomed and foamy, 5 to 7 minutes.
• In a large bowl, add the flour, butter and sea salt and use your hands to press and pinch the butter so that it's coated in flour. Add the yeast mixture and cider and stir together with a fork or a Danish dough whisk to make a loose, shaggy dough.
• Use your hands to combine the dough or beat the dough in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, until the dough forms a loose ball, about 1 minute. The dough will be firm. (If it feels sticky, add in a bit more flour, a teaspoon at a time, until it is tacky.)
• Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface or beat the dough on medium-high speed, until it's smooth and springs back when pressed, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the dough, seam-side down, to a well-buttered bowl, turn to coat completely and cover tightly. Let the dough rise until it has doubled in size, 2 to 3 hours at room temperature, or at least 8 hours or up to overnight in the refrigerator (a longer resting time develops the flavor of the dough even further).
• Lightly flour a clean work surface and turn out the dough. Press down gently to deflate. Cut the dough into 8 equal-sized pieces. Cover the dough and, working with 1 piece at a time, roll between your palms and the surface to create a long rope, about 12 inches long. (The dough will spring back as you work with it. If it's being stubborn, set it aside under a towel and come back to it.) Continue with the remaining dough until all 8 pieces are in long ropes, using a bit of a damp hand to create more friction as needed. Let all the ropes rest while you prepare the baking sheets.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats. Begin rolling each rope again, working them into a long 25- to 30-inch rope with a slightly thicker center and tapered ends (Don't worry if they're not perfect, they will still be delicious!).
• Shape each rope into a U shape. Hold the ends in each hand and lift and cross to make an X a third of the way down from the ends. Fold the ends of the dough toward the bottom, creating a slight overhang, and pinch to seal against the fatter part of the dough, creating a pretzel shape. If this is challenging or your dough is really puffy, fold and loop the dough around itself into a spiral, creating a pretzel bun instead. Transfer to the prepared sheets, leaving space between them.
• Spray a piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray and lay over the top. Let them rest in a warm (but not hot) place until they have doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, position the racks in the middle and lower third of the oven, then preheat the oven to 475 degrees F on convection setting if available.
• Bring 6 cups of water and the baking soda to a gentle simmer in a wide stainless-steel saucepan. Using a large skimmer, fish spatula or slotted spoon, lower 1 to 2 pretzels into the soda water and cook, keeping the water at a low simmer, 10 seconds per side. Remove, letting all the water drip off, and return to the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pretzels.
• Before baking, reshape each pretzel as needed, schooching them with a spoon or gloved hand (they can be slippery) to guide them into shape. Brush the tops of each pretzel with the egg wash, then sprinkle with salt. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until deep golden brown, 11 to 12 minutes.
• Serve warm with Sweet Brown Mustard Butter. Eat within 24 hours, or cool completely, wrap well and freeze for afternoon snacks.
• Combine the butter, mustard and honey, working together with a spoon or a spatula until lightly streaked and flavorful (do not fully combine, as the mustard can break the butter). Serve at room temperature. Makes 1/4 cup.

CARAWAY FENNEL SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• In a small pot over medium heat, combine milk and butter. Stir until combined. Separately, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and RawSpiceBar's Caraway, Fennel & Anise.
• Combine wet ingredients with dry and knead dough for about 10 minutes. Dough should be soft and almost sticky.
• Divide dough into 8 pieces. Shape each piece into a pretzel. Move pretzels to a dark, warm place and let the pretzels rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Just before baking, brush pretzels with egg wash and sprinkle with cheese, remaining RawSpiceBar Caraway, Fennel & Anise Bread and salt.
• Bake the pretzels for about 10 minutes at 485℉. Let cool on a wire rack and serve and enjoy!

CARAWAY AND FENNEL CRUSTED LOIN OF LAMB WITH MUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the seeds in a coffee grinder and grind to a powder. Place the mixture on a plate. Season the loin with salt and pepper to taste and dredge on all sides with the spice mixture.
• Heat the oil in a medium skillet over high heat until almost smoking. Sear the lamb on all sides until golden brown. Transfer the lamb to the oven and roast for 8 to 10 minutes for medium-rare doneness. Remove and let rest.
• Place the skillet on top of the stove over high heat. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Add the shallots and cook until soft. Add the wine and cook until reduced by three-quarters. Add the stock and cook until reduced by half. Whisk in the mustards and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove from the heat and stir in the mint.
• Serve with Braised Napa Cabbage with Red Wine Vinegar and Mint and Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Green Garlic Butter.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place cabbage in a roasting pan, stir in the vinegar, honey, and chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and roast in the oven until wilted, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir in the mint.
• Place the potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, and add 2 tablespoons of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until soft. Drain well and place back in the pan over low heat. Add the cream and green garlic butter and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Place the butter, garlic, and herbs in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

THE BEST PHILADELPHIA SOFT PRETZELS EVER

Steps:

• In mixing bowl add warm water and yeast. Stir until the yeast is completely dissolved.
• Add the sugar. Stir. Gradually stir in the flour. The dough will become stiff and dry. That's what you want.
• Sprinkle some flour on the counter or on a board. Flour your hands, too. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes.
• Form the dough into a ball. Place the ball of dough back in the bowl and cover the bowl with a dish towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, dark place for at least 30 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
• While the dough rises, heat the oven to 400F degrees. Grease or butter a cookie sheet.
• Fill a saucepan half full of water, add the baking soda, and bring the water to a slow boil.
• When the dough is finished rising, put it on a floured surface. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough into a square shape, about 1/4-1/2 inch (6-10 mm) thick. Cut the dough into 1/2-inch (or so) wide strips. They don't have to be perfect.
• Twist each strip into a pretzel shape, pinching the ends so they don't fall apart. Be careful not to let the strips stretch too thin as you handle them.
• Place a pretzel on a spatula and lower it into the boiling water for 5-10 seconds. It will puff up and float. Use the spatula to remove the pretzel from the water. Place the pretzel on the greased cookie sheet. Repeat this with the other pretzels.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg for 1 minute. Use a pastry brush to coat the top of each pretzel with the egg. Sprinkle salt over the pretzels.
• Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Serve with warmed mustard or melted cheese. YUM!

CARAWAY FENNEL SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• In a small pot over medium heat, combine milk and butter. Stir until combined. Separately, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and RawSpiceBar's Caraway, Fennel & Anise.
• Combine wet ingredients with dry and knead dough for about 10 minutes. Dough should be soft and almost sticky.
• Divide dough into 8 pieces. Shape each piece into a pretzel. Move pretzels to a dark, warm place and let the pretzels rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Just before baking, brush pretzels with egg wash and sprinkle with cheese, remaining RawSpiceBar Caraway, Fennel & Anise Bread and salt.
• Bake the pretzels for about 10 minutes at 485℉. Let cool on a wire rack and serve and enjoy!