Loving up with carbohydrates.

HEART SHAPED FOOD!

I didn't want to make sweets again this valentine's day.  So i made his other favorite thing: pretzels.

Though a sort of complicated and long process (kind of like marriage, amiright??), this is surprisingly easy, super versatile and hello HEART SHAPED FOOD.  I win.  Aaaaaand I got to eat a lot of these.  

Note before you attempt this: have about 3 hours of time on your hands.

Soft Pretzels*

1 package dry yeast + 2 tablespoons honey + 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water

2 + 3/4 cups all purpose flour (plus more for dusting)

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 large egg, beaten

chunky salt + whatever dried spices you want!

1. Stir together honey, yeast and water until foamy and set aside for about 5 minutes.

2. Stir together flour and yeast water until dough forms and then plop onto the flour dusted work surface and knead until slightly sticky and smooth, adding more flour if necessary.  This should take about 10 minutes.

3. Plop dough back into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap to let rise in a warm room until doubled.  This takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

4. Turn out dough again and cut into 8 pieces.  Roll one piece like a playdough log until its a long rope (stretch that guy out gently!) about 24 inches and twist into a pretzel shape.

5. Transfer to greased baking sheet making sure there is plenty of room between them to grow.  Let those babies rest uncovered for about 20 minutes.

6. Preheat oven to 425, bring a big (20-24 cups big) pot of water to boil.

my gifts were flowers &fav chocolate bars
&fav movies!

7. Carefully add in three pretzels at a time to boil (one at a time, but three in the pot at once!) for about three minutes, flipping over halfway.  Transfer back to a lined, greased baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining.

8. Brush lightly with egg and sprinkle with salt and spices.  I used rosemary, thyme, fennel, poppy seeds, etc.  Bake until golden for about 35-40 minutes.  Serve with delicious dip to follow.

Honey Mustard Dip

2 tablespoons super grainy mustard

4 tablespoons spicy brown mustard 

1/2 cup vegenaise

3 1/2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon chopped tarragon

1. Mix it up, DIP.  

*i realize these are not healthy, get over it.