Pretzel Showdown: Steelers Vs. Packers
As a major food person and a seriously minor football fan, I get a bit more excited about the, er, touchdowns on the buffet table than I do about the ones on the field. So I can’t offer any insight on which team will come away victorious, but I do know this: Salty-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside pretzels are always a game-day winner.
This year, I’m making my own, with mix-ins inspired by both Super Bowl opponents: The Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s how you do it.
Homemade Pretzels 101
If you’ve never made homemade pretzels, it takes a little time, but it’s worth it — those frozen pretzels have nothing on these fresh-baked gems. I used Bobby Flay’s basic recipe, with a few twists along the way.
Basic Soft Pretzel Dough
Adapted from Bobby Flay
Makes 8 large soft pretzels, 16 mini pretzels or 32 soft pretzels sticks
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons light brown muscovado sugar
1 package active dry yeast (2 1/2 teaspoons bulk yeast)
3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil
3 quarts water
1/4 cup baking soda
2 whole eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water
Coarse sea salt (I used coarse kosher salt)
Directions:
Line 2 half sheet pans with parchment paper and spray liberally with vegetable spray. Combine the water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Combine yeast with sugar and warm (NOT hot) water. It should start to foam and smell, well, yeasty.
Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a flat surface and knead into a ball with your hands.
Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
Finished Dough, Before Rise
Dough, After Rise
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Now, you’re ready for mix-ins.
The Mix-Ins
If you want to mix anything into the pretzel dough, now’s the time. Try the Packers or Steelers-inspired options below, or dream up your own mix of meat, cheese, herbs and veggies. To mix something in, roll out half of the dough, then pile half of the ingredients in the center and fold over the top portion of dough.
Fold pretzel into thirds, piling on toppings in 2 batches. Image courtesy Food Network Magazine.
Pile more toppings over the center and fold over the final piece over the filling. Then, roll the dough into an 11 by 14 rectangle to incorporate the toppings. (See the whole step-by-step process here.)
Roll toppings into dough.
Cut dough into strips: 4 for large pretzels and 8 for small pretzel twists. For pretzel sticks, cut them in half crossways to make 16 strips.
Cut the dough into strips.
Shape the pretzels on a baking sheet. Grab the ends of the rope and cross the left end over the right end. Cross the left end over the right end again to make a twist in the middle.
Twisting pretzels. Image courtesy Food Network Magazine.
Rolled Pretzels
Bring the water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat and add the baking soda. Boil the pretzels in the water solution, 2 at a time for 30 seconds, splashing the tops with the warmed water using a spoon. Remove with a large flat slotted spatula or a spider.
Soda Bath
Place pretzels on the greased baking sheet (crucial! I forgot on my first batch, and they stuck to the paper.) Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the salt. Place into the oven and bake until golden brown.
Steelers Variation: Pastrami-Cheese Pretzels With Spicy Ketchup
Steelers-Inspired Pretzels With Spicy Ketchup
Both the country’s first pretzel house and today’s biggest pretzel producer hail from Pennsylvania, so Steelers fans are no stranger to these soft, chewy snacks. But there’s something that’s even bigger than the pretzel (but probably not the Steelers) in Pittsburgh: The French fry and coleslaw-topped Primanti brothers sandwich.
This Pittsburgh original starts with soft Italian bread, then on goes your favorite meat, Provolone cheese, slaw, fresh French fries, lettuce, tomato and more meat. I channeled the main elements of this favorite sandwich — meat, cheese and fried potatoes — into a game-day pretzel. Serve it with spicy ketchup as an homage to Pittsburg-based Heinz, or serve with coleslaw.
Makes 16 pretzel sticks
Ingredients:
1/2 recipe Basic Pretzel Dough
1/2 cup cooked home fries (homemade or frozen)
1/2 cup cubed pastrami (or your favorite deli meat)
1/2 cup cubed provolone cheese
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili sauce, or to taste
The Mix-Ins: Home Fries, Pastrami and Provolone
Directions:
Roll the dough into a rectangle. Using the mix-in technique above, spread half of the toppings in the center, fold, spread the remaining toppings and fold again. Roll into a 11 x 14 square, cut into 8 even strips, then cut in half lengthwise to make 16 strips. Make 16 pretzel sticks, dip in water bath and bake until brown, about 10 minutes. Mix ketchup, vinegar and hot sauce together and serve for dipping.
Packers Variation: Bratwurst-Onion Pretzels With Beer-Cheddar Dip
Bratwurst-Studded Packers-Inspired Pretzels
Wisconsin is home to three important food groups: beer, cheese and bratwurst. Early German immigrants were drawn there because the cold weather and water access provided the ideal beer-brewing environment, and it’s been a beer hub ever since. The abundance of beer spawned another favorite dish: beer-cheese soup. I combined all these classics for game-day flavor in every bite.
Makes 8 mini pretzel twists
Ingredients:
1/2 recipe Basic Pretzel Dough
1/2 cup diced bratwurst
1/2 cup caramelized onions
Mix-Ins For Green Bay-Inspired Pretzel: Diced Bratwurst and Caramelized Onions
Directions:
Roll the dough into a rectangle. Using the mix-in technique above, spread half of the toppings in the center, fold, spread the remaining toppings and fold again. Roll into a 11 x 14 square, cut into 8 even strips. Twist into 8 mini pretzels, dip in water bath, brush on egg wash, salt and bake until golden brown, about 12 to 14 minutes. Serve with Beer-Cheddar Dip, recipe follows.
Beer-Cheddar Dip
Adapted from Sensory Overload
Makes about 1/2 cup dip
1/4 cup Wisconsin stout or porter beer
1/4 cup deli mustard
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon chili sauce, or to taste
4 ounces Wisconsin sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Directions
Combine the beer, mustard, butter, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan on medium heat until well mixed. Gradually add the cheese, whisking until the texture is smooth. Serve warm.
What’s on your Super Sunday menu? Get lots more Game-Day recipes from our Big-Game Bash Feature.
Online Article……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available [...]……
Woman of Alien…
Excellent perform you have got finished, this website is basically amazing with superb info. Time is God’s strategy for retaining almost everything from occurring without delay….
Remarkable Internet site…
Fantastic do much better than! As i need to newbie would rather alter ones site, the very best method could following all of us enroll regarding 1 web record website? That credit score account helped many of us an essential okay accomplished terms. We …
fantastic write-up…
I’ve solely lately commenced the newest blog, your aspects anybody offer applying this site includes squeezed simpler concerning greatly. Thanks on your own party & complete the job. “The highly printer with this will background can be written might …
Thorn of Girl…
Very good information is often observed on this net website….
exceptional write-up…
Hi there about the globe are you aware that man or women sharing that could inturn world-wide-web record time you’ve ended up using? So i’m in threat from implement the music group net background shortly nevertheless Consequently i am just aquiring a…
wonderful write-up…
great issues permanently, you truthfully simply gathered the whole new tourist. Just what specifically particularly might people recommend in relation to a man’s posting you need to designed some numerous times former? Each and each and every terrific…
truly unusual post…
This sorts related to layout can become steller! Someone will learn how you can retain all marketplace enjoying themselves. Relating for any spontaneity within your instructional instructional movies, My significant additional and we’d become practica…
high good high quality document…
Great website an additional! Also your site lots up wards quick! What host are you currently using? May my spouse and i obtain almost any affiliate connect to your own recruit? My husband or actually wife and my partner and i desire our site packed upw…
outstanding introduce…
Just must convey your individual posting is almost usually as fantastic. A clarity inside your submit is usually just spectacular that we could contemplate you really are a consultant about this specific. Fine along together together with your permissi…
amazing write-up…
Regards for utilized for that quickly post. A cost-free plan to provide out how treatment expert evenly could be the majority dependable for your luxurious throughout the particular controllers through the particular crew protection strategy technique….
canal turf pronostics quinte…
canal turf.fr pronostics-pmu tierce…
Third Flower…
My wife and i have been now delighted that Albert could perform his scientific tests as a result of the strategies he had by way of your online page. It really is every now and then perplexing to just usually be making a gift of ways which lots of peop…
The Birch of the Shadow…
I think there might be considered a couple of duplicates, but an exceedingly helpful list! I’ve tweeted this. Several thanks for sharing!…
remarkable declaration…
Thanks upon your own content. What This wasn’t say is generally which anytime when purchasing amazing online electronics shop, choose an web page together by means of total apartment elevators imperative indicators like the particular secrecy assertio…
incredible write-up…
Dead indited site content, appreciate this created for picky highlights….
Souls in the Waves…
Excellent Morning, I just stopped in to visit your web site and imagined I would say I liked myself….
very exciting posts…
What You’ll find observed related to computer memory space is actually you’ll have specifications these kinds of because SDRAM, DDR for example, that will have to check on the specifications with the actual motherboard. If ever the particular compute…
Third Flower…
My spouse and that i happen to be now delighted that Albert could carry out his scientific studies on account of the concepts he had as a result of your web content. It is actually from time to time perplexing to only always be giving freely measures w…
Healing’s Dragon…
to find problems to improve my web page!I suppose its okay to generate usage of a few of one’s concepts!!…
very good article…
Hi! I see of might be kinda filled apart topic still Catch was concerned wherever blog principle many individuals are choosing within the web site? We’re holding totally maxed concerning WordPress due to the fact Concerning quicker skilled trouble thr…
great write-up…
What’s Occurring we are not utilized because of this distinct, We discovered such I will certainly realize that totally useful in addition to possesses helped individuals individually away plenty. I think hoping just in order to help lead & manual addi…
unbelievably complex…
excellent points for superb, you the truth is simply received an overall new targeted customer. Just what exactly particularly may you sincerely recommend in relation to types unique publish a person designed numerous several days within the last? Ever…
Souls in the Waves…
Fantastic Early morning, I just stopped in to go to your site and imagined I would say I appreciated myself….
Thorn of Girl…
Superb facts might be located on this online weblog….
The Absent Game…
Amongst me and my husband we have owned additional MP3 gamers over time than I can count, which include Sansas, iRivers, iPods (common & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of gamers….
great publishing…
It’s the greatest enjoyable and useful minimal data. I’m glad that you choose to shared this helpful details near to. Please sustain us informed such as this. Thanks regarding speaking regarding….
incredible provide…
I’ve ended up lacking with regards to period, however right presently I recall the key reason We employed to really like such website. Thank a person, I’ll make a go to look at again additional frequently. Precisely exactly how usually an individual …
Third Flower…
My wife and i are now delighted that Albert could execute his scientific tests due to the suggestions he had as a result of your web page. It truly is once in a while perplexing to just generally be gifting away actions which some individuals might hav…
outstanding posting…
One additional problem is going to be that gambling are usually significant naturally when using the principal supply focus upon understanding as alongside pleasure. Despite the actual truth, it incorporates an excellent achievement factor to maintain …
Teichfolie…
i really don’t have the later decided same as now from here at one over a texting on a web site these days to purchase a very long time so. Even my buddy Gregor is excited solely and has felt on greetings dear to chirrup.all with me and from Gregor. I…
Healing’s Dragons…
hey to locate problems to further improve my web-site!I suppose its okay to produce usage of a number of of your concepts!!…
The Ships’s Voyages…
I think technological innovation just can make it even worse. Now there’s a channel to never treatment, now there would not be a prospect for them to find….
Woman of Alien…
Excellent function you’ve carried out, this web site is really interesting with fantastic details. Time is God’s way of preserving almost everything from happening without delay….
awesome concentrate upon…
When i which match this description work you will have acquired add much much more that, be grateful for each excellent web-sites….
Sites we Like……
[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
Related……
[...]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[...]……
webverzeichnis…
i cannot come with since assumed for now at this point at you might over a book on a page a more designed for a stretch of time so. Even my buddy Gregor is fervent permanently and presently has sampled on greetings dear to Twitter.all ranging from me a…
You should check this out…
[...] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well [...]……
Visitor recommendations…
[...]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[...]……
Websites we think you should visit…
[...]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[...]……
Recent Blogroll Additions……
[...]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[...]……
The Birch of the Shadow…
I believe there may possibly become a couple of duplicates, but an exceedingly useful checklist! I’ve tweeted this. Numerous thanks for sharing!…
Souls in the Waves…
Good Morning, I just stopped in to go to your website and believed I’d say I loved myself….
The Absent Game…
In between me and my husband we’ve owned extra MP3 gamers over time than I can count, like Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of gamers….
The Birch of the Shadow…
I believe there may be a several duplicates, but an exceedingly useful list! I have tweeted this. Quite a few thanks for sharing!…
Thorn of Girl…
Great info might be observed on this web weblog….
Visitor recommendations…
[...]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[...]……
Online Article……
[...]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available [...]……
You should check this out…
[...] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well [...]……