Homemade Pretzels

Homemade Pretzels.....they are so easy! If you have a Kitchen Aid Mixer or even a bread machine, set it on the dough setting, the dough will come together in minutes.  Here's the recipe!

Homemade Pretzels
Kitchen Aid Mixer Method
2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
2 tsp. sugar
1 cup warm water

In a large mixing bowl combine the above ingredients, whisk together and set aside for about 5 mins until proofed and foamy.  This is called proofing the yeast.

After the yeast has become all foamy about 5 mins, to the bowl add the following:

3 cups flour (I didn't use bread flour just all purpose flour)
2 TBS oil
1/4 tsp. salt

Using the dough hook, and on low speed, mix it all together until the dough forms a ball around the dough hook.  If the dough doesn't form and the mixture is dry, add 1 TBS water, until it forms the ball.  If the mixture is too wet, and looks like a batter, add a little more flour about 1 TBS....this is the "art" of breadmaking and knowing if the bread dough is ready.

Take the dough out and knead for a couple of seconds in your hand.  The dough should be soft and not too sticky.  If it is sticky, flour your hands before you take it out of the bowl.  Put the dough in a large oiled bowl and turn over to coat the dough.  Put plastic wrap over the bowl, and let it double in size for about 1 hour.

After about one hour, turn the dough out of the bowl onto a lightly floured board, and cut the dough into 8 pieces.  Roll into about 18 inch ropes.

My Hubby Rolling the dough into a rope.

Form a U shape with 1 rope, and twist and form into a big pretzel. 

Let rise again on a greased foiled covered baking sheet for 20 minutes or until doubled in size. While rising make sure you cover them with a piece of greased waxed paper so the paper doesn't stick or a light-weight kitchen towel.

 Meanwhile, bring a big pot of water to a boil, add 3 tsp Baking Soda.  After the 20 minutes of rising, boil the pretzels for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, being careful when flipping.  I used a big slotted spoon.

After boiling the pretzels drain them on a rack for about 2 minutes.  Transfer them a greased foiled covered cookie sheet, sprinkle with coarse salt, and bake in a 475 oven for about 15 - 20 minutes until golden dark brown.  Let cool on a rack for about 10 minutes.  So delicious!!!!

So YUMMO!

Homemade Calzones!

Making Calzones are really very easy. I make my own pizza dough, it's easy when you have a Kitchen Aid Mixer. You just dumped all the ingredients in the bowl, using the dough hook, the dough is ready within minutes. 

I like to add pepperoni, cooked meatballs, or cooked sauage to the Calzones.  I have even tried sauteed zucchini once, and they were very delicious! 

Use your imagination, making Calzones are so easy, you will be amazed how easy, and satisfying they are!  Serve them with a most delicious salad, and your meal is complete!  Enjoy!

The Dough - for 4 Calzones

1 1/4 cups warm water (warm water, NOT HOT)
2 TBS sugar
2 Tsp. Active Dry Yeast

In a bowl add the water, then the sugar and yeast...mix with a fork and let sit for 5 minutes until it gets all foamy, this is called "Proofing the Yeast".

Yeast all foamy

To the Kitchen Aid Mixing bowl add:
4 1/2 Cups Bread Flour (I use Bread Flour, but you could use Regular too)
2 TBS oil (I use olive)
1 tsp salt
Yeast Mixture already foamy

With the Dough Hook attached, mix on low. Increase speed, and mix until all the mixture forms a ball around the dough hook, you may have to scrap the sides of the bowl down with a spatula.

Dough hook with dough around it

Now look is the dough forming a ball around the dough hook like the picture above? Or does it look like a "cake batter" in the bowl? If it looks like a batter, add 1/4 cup more flour, you want all the dough mixture to be wrapped around the dough hook, that means it's done kneading. Or, there may be extra flour on the bottom of the bowl, then you need to add a little more water. Take the dough out of the bowl, and work it a little with your hands, if sticky add some more flour to your hands. Put in a well oiled large bowl, let rise for one hour.

Dough all risen and ready to spread!

These are the tricks to bread making, if you don't have a Kitchen Aid Mixer, you can use this same method, just the OLD FASHIONED way.....knead with your HANDS!!!!

When the dough is done rising, it will double in size, punch down. Divide it into 4, and let sit for about 5 minutes, will be elastic and easy to spread. On a big board with your fingers, start spreading the dough into a circle, it will spread easily.

Making the Calzones

2 cups Ricotta Cheese
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
Pepperoni, cooked meatballs, cooked sausages, sauteed Zucchini (that's what I have below)

On a floured board spread out the dough into a circle (doesn't have to be perfect) with your hands.  Add about 1/2 cup of the Ricotta on one side and top with about 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and whatever kind of topping you wish, I used sauteed Zucchini in the picture below.

Fold the dough over.....

 Seal the sides together making sure the filling doesn't come out. Crimp the sides together and seal with a fork.

All ready for the Oven! Using a sharp knife, carefully cut air holes in the top.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes!

Now you are ready to cut into it and eat.  Serve with your favorite tomato sauce!  YUMMO!