Cheese pretzels

I learned this recipe from a TV show, but with my personal touch. A “pretzel” is a kind of brioche bread, with - a little - different working stages, and in the form of intertwined arms.

For this recipe, I have chosen to introduce wholemeal flour for more nutritional value, but it is possible to use white flour, and we will have “funny” buns, to serve warm, with a salad and / or a soup, fries, rice… to present in a meal, or to take in an outing…

Recipe:

Ø   Ingredients:

·     250 g of whole wheat flour;

·     250 g of white flour;

·     1 tablespoon of brewer's yeast;

·     1 tablespoon of sugar;

·     1 teaspoon of anise seeds (a personal touch);

·     1 teaspoon of fennel seeds (a personal touch);

·     1 teaspoon of salt;

·     30 g of softened butter;

·     300 ml of cold milk;

·     Spreadable cheese;

·     1 L of water;

·     ½ teaspoon of baking soda.

Ø Preparation:

1.  In a salad bowl (or in the kneading bowl) mix the dry ingredients;

2.  Add the butter then the milk: collect… If you will not obtain a nice firm dough, you can add water;

3.  Work the dough for 5 minutes (or 3 minutes in a kneader): let stand for half an hour;

4.  Flour your work plan; divide the dough into - about - 15 balls: cover; 

5.  Using a roller, lower a ball into a rectangle;

6.  Spread cheese on the bottom edge;

7.  Using a brush, brush the rest of the borders with water, so that it sticks;

8.  Roll the rectangle to have a sausage then shape like a knot;

9.  Do the same with the other balls;

10.  In a saucepan, put the water and the baking soda: bring to a boil;

11. Turn on the oven at 180 °;

12. Take a pretzel (still raw), immerse it in the pan and wait for it to rise to the surface (about fifteen seconds), then drain on absorbent paper or a napkin;

13. Do the same with the rest of the raw pretzels;

14. Place the drained pretzels on a floured platter and bake for 25 minutes: watch the cooking;

15. Once the pretzels are golden brown, take them out of the oven and place them on a rack.

Enjoy your meal.

Mrs. MAMCHAOUI Djazila marries HAMIMED