Cooking with Seitan

Pretzel Bread

Ingredients: 

Bread Flour, 2 Cups. (Bob's Red Mill Artisanal)

    Salt to taste, I use a Tablespoon or less.
 

    Active Dry Yeast, 1 Tablespoon. (Fleischmann's)

    Baking Soda, 2/3 cup.

    (Optional: Sugar, I use a drop of Maple Syrup and sometimes I use Flour instead of sugar)

Step 1: 

    Add the yeast to a large mixing bowl and 3/4 cups of water*.

    The optional sugar is to feed the yeast, I add a tablespoon

    of flour or a little maple syrup.

    Mix it around for a second and set aside for 10 minutes.

    *Cold water if using a food processor to knead,

    warm water if kneading by hand.

    Do not use hot water it will kill the yeast.

Step 2: 

    Add salt and flour. Knead 10 minutes by hand or 45

    seconds in food processor.

    

    If consistency of dough is too dry add

    up to 1/4 more cup of water as needed.

    When done kneading add dough to a lightly oiled pot

    and cover with a wet towel or airtight lid. 

    I pour a drop of oil into the pot and then roll the dough ball

    around in it until the sides of the pot and the bottom

    are covered.

    Let dough rise for 10 minutes, after 10 minutes punch the

    dough down flat. Cover and place in refrigerator until dough

    doubles in size, about 40-60 minutes.

Step 3: 

    When dough is almost done fill a pot* with 2 cups of water

    and add the baking soda. Bring to a boil.

    Pre-Heat oven to 400 degrees.

    Get a baking sheet with parchment paper prepared

    and set aside do not pre-heat. 

    *Pot needs enough room to drop balls of dough into and not stick to the bottom. 

Step 4: 

    Use a knife to divide the dough into 4 even parts.

    Shape dough in whatever shape you like,
a rectangle or circle* are timeless classics but
squares are cool too. It's your bun it can be
whatever you want it to be.

    Boil the buns individually in the baking soda water

     for 30 seconds on each side.

    You may let the dough dry to get a darker brown color if you would like.

    Use a knife and make a few light slits (for style) across the top of the buns.

    Sprinkle with salt while still wet. 

*For a round bun lay your palm flat, place dough on flat palm.
Cup your other palm and gently roll it over the dough to
form a nice bun shape.

Step 5: 

    Bake for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees.

    Longer if you want them crunchy. 

Enjoy :)