Soft Pretzels

(or prayer pretzels as referred to by mom and dad)

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water
1 package dry active yeast
1½ cups of flour
2 tbsp vegetable oil
½ tsp salt
.....................
1¼ cup flour
4 cups water
2 tbsp coarse salt
1 beaten egg

Directions:
Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let stand for 10 minutes. Add the vegetable oil, salt and 1½ cups flour. Stir together until thoroughly combined. Add remaining flour and knead for 5 minutes. Let the dough rest for 1 hour. Roll dough into snakes about 2 feet long and twist into pretzel shape or any other shape you wish. (who doesn't like their initials written in soft pretzel form?) Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Place on a greased sheet. Brush with egg and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 12 minutes.

Note: Try topping with Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, pico de gallo seasoning powder, cinnamon and sugar, or whatever you can dream up.

Originally posted 1/11/08