Sunday, January 22, 2012

Our Life in Pictures

Perfect afternoon respite
The "Ghost Plower"
Sir Knight and Miss Calamity freeing our driveway of snow
Changing the angle of the blade
Princess Dragon Snack and Master Hand Grenade shoveling
in front of the door
Princess Dragon Snack up to her neck in snow - literally!
Princess Dragon Snack and Master Hand Grenade burying Master Calvin
Now it's big brothers turn
Fresh homemade pretzels

SOFT GIANT PRETZELS
2 C 4 T warm water (110°F or hot to the touch)
6 C flour
6 T brown sugar
1 T yeast

Mix water, sugar and yeast - let sponge until bubbly.  Add flour and knead.  Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Divide dough into 16 balls.  Roll each into a 20" rope.  Form into pretzel shape.  Place on cookie sheet.

In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts water to boil with 1/2 C baking soda (the soda gives the pretzels the characteristic "pretzel" taste and texture).  Drop pretzels into boiling water, two at a time; boil for 10 - 15 seconds, turning over once.  Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.

Place pretzels on greased baking sheets.  Bake at 425°F for 8 - 10 minutes.  After you remove from the oven, spritz or lightly brush with water, sprinkle with salt.

Rolling pretzel dough into ropes
Putting into the boiling water/baking soda
Boiling pretzels, two at a time
Draining on paper towels after boiling and before they are put into the oven
Cooling on a wire rack
Oh, yum!

11 comments:

  1. Enola,

    Im still living on "Bachelor Chow" (same as Purina Dog Chow) I eat the microwaveable version. Maybe I can find some frozen pretzels somewhere?

    A few days ago I purchased a vintage 1984 Ruger 10/22 22long rifle with scope from a friend of mine for $170.00 The rifles in mint condition and I shot it yesterday at the range and got the scope sighted in at 100 yards.

    The quality of the rifle is better than the new 22's and had a nicer more solid feel.

    I had a lot of fun, I forgot how much fun a .22 can be and how inexpensive it is to shoot. I felt like a kid again and I can wait to get back out to the range again. If any gets a chance to buy an older model Ruger 10/22, Buy It...

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    1. I have a vintage 1970 10/22 and one I bought in the later 1980's. They are both excellent rifles but the older one has a walnut stock while the newer one has a birch stock. They went to the cheaper wood to keep down costs. Other than the wood type the quality of both seems the same.

      Looking at modern 10/22s in a store did not make me think they were not still made to the same standards.

      Now if I had the money I would have one of my 10/22 reworked by Chief AJ (an actual Indian Chief) who will turn it into an ultra reliable tack driver (1/4" groups at 100 yards).

      However my stock guns are still fun to shoot, and my grandson loves to shoot them. That is what is important to me :>)

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  2. Beautiful winter weekend & delicious pretzels... Tea... Wish my weekend was as nice. Everybody in my house is ill with bronchitis -& including me. :(

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    Replies
    1. Tea is one of the home remedies I turn to when I have bronchitis. Hot tea with a couple of teaspoons of honey, a squirt of lemon juice, and if you've a mind to...a shot of JD. Give it a try and see if it makes you feel better. Good health to you and your family.

      NoCal Gal

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  3. I'll be making the pretzels this evening, in fact, the jar of dijon mustard is already on the countertop.

    PS to captaincrunch: I don't own a Ruger 10/22 but I do own a couple of Winchester .22 pumps (models 62 and 62a) that are the bomb! I love shooting them, and their walnut stocks are gorgeous. I've also got a Winchester model 20 .410 single shot shotgun that is awesome to shoot. You gotta try a pre-1964 Winchester if you ever get the opportuinity to do so.

    NoCal Gal

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  4. NoCal Gal;
    You've got to let me know how your pretzels turned out!! And we love the 10/22! It is a great way to put a lot of rounds downrange without spending all of your savings. I can only imagine that your .410 is a blast!
    Enola

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  5. The pretzels look super easy, but you don't mention rising time. The pretzels being put into the boiling water look like they've had some rising time. Do you let the dough rise before shaping and again before boiling, or just once before boiling? (Or not at all?) Thanks.

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  6. Mrs. Gay,

    Thank you for all the effort you put into your blog! It's a privilege to be able to see and share your life like this. I can't say I'm a prepper at this stage...college makes that difficult...but your family is inspiring, and the ideas you give in this blog are helpful.

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  7. I loved the pretzel receipe. They were delightful, thanks for showing just how easy it is. Now if I can only learn to get them in the right shape, if I put one on the lawn someone would think I forgot to police after letting the dogs out. They were still great.

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  8. Can't wait to try these pretzels. They look yummy.

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  9. When the youngsters help make the goodies everything tastes better.

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