Recipe: Soft Pretzels

Soft Pretzels (makes 12)1 cup warm water
1 package dry active yeast
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tbs. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup flour4 cups water
2 tbs. baking soda
2 tbs. coarse saltDissolve the yeast in the warm water and let stand for 10 minutes. Add
the vegetable oil, salt and 1 1/2 cups flour. Stir togrther until
thoroughly combined. Add remaining flour and knead dough for 5 minutes.
Let the dough rest for 1 hour.

Divide the dough into 12 equal shapes and reform them into small balls.
Let them rest for 15 minutes. Roll them into 18" lengths and form them
into pretzel shapes or cut each length in half to make sticks. Preheat
oven to 475 degrees.

In a large pot, place the baking soda and water to a boil. Let the
pretzels rise for a 1/2 hour. Add the pretzels to the boiling water for
1 minute. Remove and place on a greased sheetpan. Sprinkle with coarse
salt and bake for 12 minutes.