Pretzels

October 28, 2010 Michelle Day family, new york city, nutrition, pretzels, snacks

I miss the pretzels you get at the snack carts in New York City. They seem to have a special taste and are warm and comforting. Connecticut just does not have those street vendors. My pretzel recipe makes nice big, bready pretzels, hinted with salt, delicious and so effortless you can make them at home. They are not dry and crunchy pieces of tree branches that you get in cellophane bags either. Pair them up with any kind of mustard whether sweet, spicy or hot and you can have yourself a great sports party or the perfect movie snack for the entire family. This recipe makes 16 pretzels. They are best when fresh –but don’t worry they will be gone quickly.

Ingredients:
1 Envelope Active Dry Yeast
1 1/2 Cups Very Warm Water
1 Tablespoon Sugar
2 Tsp. Salt
4 Cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 Egg Yolk
1 Tablespoon Water
1/4 Cup Coarse Salt

Method:
Dissolve Yeast in a bowl containing the cup of of warm water (110 degrees).
Stir in Sugar and Salt until dissolved.
Add Flour and mix well.
Turn out dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes.
Divide Dough in 16 equal pieces.
Roll into thin strips and shape into pretzels, then place on a well grease baking sheet.
Beat an egg yolk with a little water and brush the tops of each pretzel. Sprinkle with the coarse salt.
Bake at 425 degrees F, for 15 to 20 minutes.

Michelle Day

Michelle Day has been cooking and baking since she was old enough to hold a whisk. Michelle is an expert cook and her passion for cooking and entertaining has never wavered. At the age of 10 Michelle’s Family started a bakery in Simsbury CT, where Michelle got her first taste of running a food service business. In 1994 Michelle moved to New York City, where, she found her true passion in baking. In 2001 she started “The Catering Divas” Catering business. Serving the Upper East Side, she catered numerous small dinner and cocktail parties. Her passion and attention to detail won her the attention of some of New York’s Elite. Back at home in Connecticut, Michelle is a well known culinary instructor and her cake decorating skills jump-started a side business — Devine Cake Designs — where clients clamor for her inspired and beautifully artistic designs. After 15 years in the culinary industry, Michelle’s love of cooking, baking and children, has lead to her to her newest career, offering personalized family cooking classes and creating a TV show, digital broadcasts and Cook Books like no other. Kids and a Cook is all about healthy, fun, and easy meals for kids and their families. Michelle credits her parents with her success and her love of food, helping to create so many memories being in the kitchen with them as a child. Her goal is to have a show to help viewers create the same memories with their families. A show for the kids, and by the kids, with the “cook” there as guidance. Michelle’s featured co-host is an energetic, precocious 9-year-old named Elisabeth. Although a finicky eater, Elisabeth still loves to cook in the kitchen and learn about ingredients and how to mix them to make tasty dishes. Come join us — as you and Elisabeth learn easy recipes and explore culinary adventures. Michelle Day is available for lectures and cooking demonstrations. Please contact us through this website.