Philly soft pretzels?

Jamieoro

I grew up on these things and can't get them now that I'm in Va. Was trying to think of something fun to bring to a 1 year old birthday party this weekend and landed on soft pretzel bites baked on the egg. Pretzel salt already ordered from amazon! I'm kind of excited.... Any advice??

fishlessman

dip them in boiling water mixed with food grade stump killer, helps turn them that darker brown when cooking. make some with pretzel salt and caraway seeds

TexanOfTheNorth

Not sure what the pretzel bites you're talking about are but I've made sourdough pretzels and hamburger buns before. If you're starting with your own pretzel dough it is imperative that you boil them in a baking soda solution for about a minute before baking them. That's what gives them there chewy texture. I can give you the recipe I used if your interested.

batboy

Good luck.  If all else fails, you can always have legit ones delivered:

http://www.tasteofphiladelphia.com/catalog2.html

http://store.nexternal.com/pdirect/philly-soft-pretzels-c2.aspx

 

Jamieoro

TexanOfTheNorth said:

Not sure what the pretzel bites you're talking about are but I've made sourdough pretzels and hamburger buns before. If you're starting with your own pretzel dough it is imperative that you boil them in a baking soda solution for about a minute before baking them. That's what gives them there chewy texture. I can give you the recipe I used if your interested.

Just bite sized soft pretzels! Would love your recipe if you have it handy!

TexanOfTheNorth

I'll have to get the recipe at home this evening. They're very easy to make and taste great. They do require a sourdough starter (but that's not really so hard to do either).

brycos

Sorry fishless, but I'm not quite getting the bottle of poison in your picture.

rtt121

That's the must have ingredient for browned crusty pretzels!

MO_Eggin

Alton Brown's soft pretzel recipe is excellent and pretty simple.   

TexanOfTheNorth

rtt121 said:

That's the must have ingredient for browned crusty pretzels!

Baking soda can be used in place of the lye.

Little Steven

fishlessman said:

dip them in boiling water mixed with food grade stump killer, helps turn them that darker brown when cooking. make some with pretzel salt and caraway seeds

And the pint o' porter is for dipping I assume

Jamieoro

TexanOfTheNorth said:

rtt121 said:

That's the must have ingredient for browned crusty pretzels!

Baking soda can be used in place of the lye.

Did I mention kid friendly? I think I'll opt for the baking soda

TexanOfTheNorth

The kids might also prefer something a little lighter than a stout!

Little Steven

Lager?

TexanOfTheNorth

Even a nice pale ale.

fishlessman

baking soda can be used but its like substituting a good bourbon with water
) definitely try a few with caraway seeds and salt

Jamieoro

fishlessman said:

baking soda can be used but its like substituting a good bourbon with water
) definitely try a few with caraway seeds and salt

I do love caraway seeds! I will! Thanks!

Shiff

I have been using Alton Browns recipe for quite some time and really like the way they come out. I also use Baking Soda in the boiling solution.  I've also used the dough to wrap hot dogs to make pretzel dogs like they sell here in Lancaster, PA.

TexanOfTheNorth

@Jamieoro, here's the link to the sourdough pretzel recipe that I use.

Replace step 5 in the recipe by dropping the formed pretzels into a pot of boiling water/baking soda solution. I usually use a 4 qt. pot filled with about 2 qts. of water and just pour in 1/4 box of baking soda. You can google the process and you'll find a number of different ratios and times for boiling. I usually boil mine for 30-45 seconds each and then take them out of the water with a slotted spatula. Give each pretzel a quick shake and then right onto your baking sheet.