SUNDAY, APRIL 26TH, 2015
Sunrise: 6:33 am
Sunset: 8:20 pm
Life is a Special Occasion!
Hallmark
April 26th is Pretzel Day. It’s generally believed that the humble pretzel is the oldest of all snack foods, with documented consumption of pretzels dating back as far as the 7th century AD, where French monks baked salted dough strips shaped like the arms of children in prayer.
Whether you like yours sweet, salty, covered in chocolate, or flavored with herbs and spices, Pretzel Day is all about enjoying the humble pretzel in all of its shapes, sizes, flavors and styles.
If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
If we’re not meant to have a midnight snack, why is there a light in the fridge?
I love snacks and have them often. Some are definitely healthier than others. When you grab a handful of pretzels, you're getting a snack that comes with fiber, iron, zinc and folate. And besides these nutrients, pretzels are low in fat.
Just recently DD told me about pretzel dogs that they had when when out at the mall. They are similar to corn dogs but the hot dogs are wrapped in a soft pretzel. So I thought I’d do a search and see if I could find a recipe to make them on my own.
A hot dog baked right inside a soft pretzel makes these the tastiest and easiest homemade pretzel dogs you will ever eat!
Dough:
1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup white granulated sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, plus more as needed
1 t. salt
Rolls:
16 hot dogs, cut into halves
1/4 cup milk for brushing
Coarse sea salt
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast, warm water and sugar, agitating until the yeast is dissolved. Let stand for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly. In another bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the flour mixture gradually to the yeast mixture until forming a soft dough that is neither sticky nor dry, adding extra flour if necessary. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead until elastic and smooth, about 3 or 4 minutes.
Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
Preheat the oven to 425 F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet and set aside.
Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a rectangle about 1/8” thick, the longer and thinner the rectangle, the better. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into triangles each about 3 inches wide at the base and 4 inches long. It's the same concept used when making croissants.
Place a hot dog half at the base of one of the triangles, and then roll the dough up to the tip. Press the tip gently into the dough to secure the roll and place the roll on the prepared baking sheet. Continue until all of of the dough or all of the dogs have been used.
Lightly brush the rolls with milk. You probably won't need the entire 1/4 cup. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt if desired. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the rolls are puffed up and golden brown. Transfer dogs to a wire cooling rack to cool slightly before serving. Serve hot, at room temperature, or cold.
You can also buy already made soft pretzel dough and save making your own and simply wrap that around a hot dog. Which ever way you make them, they do sound very good and something I’ll be having soon.
I don’t have any pretzel pictures to share today so what you see is the bowl my mom used to mix up a lot good things, although I’m pretty sure she never made pretzels or used it to hold flowers like I am. We are finally back up in the 50’s here which is much better than the 30’s and 40’s we’ve been having. They say that next week will bring temps in the 60’s. I hope that means I can get out and enjoy some sunshine !
Hope you all have a restful and relaxing Sunday!
COUNTING MY GIFTS
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
J.R.R. Tolkien
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
2706. for pretzels, good for snacking
2707. for food, I love to eat and never go hungry
2708. for warmer Spring weather
Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!
PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS
Please pray for God's protection of
our troops and HIS wisdom for their
commanders.
Lord, hold our troops in
your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the
selfless acts they perform for us
in our time of need. I ask this in the
name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters
and Paramedics and EMT's
GOD BLESS YOU ALL !
ADVICE FOR TODAY
Bigger snacks mean bigger slacks.
Author Unknown
A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…
Love,
ma
