Are you going to watch that old football game without snacks? How about the 2001 NCAA championship? Well, since the games are old, how about a new pretzel recipe? How about a jalapeño pretzel? How about a jalapeño pretzel with cheese sauce? How about getting a beer and let’s watch the old game again.
1 1/2 cups warm water, 110 degrees
4 cups flour
1 pack dry yeast
1 tablespoon honey
1 jalapeño pepper, chopped fine
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 egg mixed with 3 tablespoons of water
Whisk yeast in the warm water and let sit for 2 minutes
Add honey and 1 tablespoon oil
In large bowl add flour and salt, stir
Add yeast/ water combination
Add jalapeño
Mix throughly (if dough is still sticky add more flour)
Coat with 2 tablespoons oil
Cover with a clean towel and let rise for 10 minutes
Turn out on board and cut into 8 parts
Roll pretzels
Baking soda bath:
1/2 cup baking soda
10 cups water
Bring water to a boil
Add soda
Add pretzels one at a time to soda water for 20 seconds per side
Place on a parchment lined baking sheet
Brush pretzels with egg wash
Preheat oven to 350
Bake until golden brown about 23-28 minutes
Cheese dipping sauce:
3 cups sharp Pinconning cheese or sharp cheddar, grated
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup lager beer (so buy something you want to drink – you are going to have some left)
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 jalapeño finely chopped
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
In a large sauce pan melt butter and mix in flour
Let cook for 4 minutes until it slightly brown, whisking constantly
Add milk
Add beer (use a lager not a stout)
Add Worcestershire, mustard, hot sauce, and garlic
Simmer for 5 minutes
Add cheese in 4 portions
Cook, hand whisking until smooth
