The origins of the pretzel have been heavily disputed, certain (unverified) sources claim the pretzel first appeared back in 610 AD in Italy, some others in Germany or in France.
The only thing historians can agree on is the pretzel’s Christian connotations and their criss-cross shape resembles monks' arms crossed in prayers.
Thought of as bearers of prosperity and luck, these knotted breads were often given to the poor as a way of providing them with spiritual as well as actual nourishment.
Curious to try it in an unusual braided bread version? Here's the recipe!
Ingredients
- 500gr plain white flour
- 10gr yeast
- Filtered Water
- Salt
- 2tsp bicarb
Method
- Melt yeast in a glass of warm water and add it to the bowl containing flour.
- Mix well with your hands, adding a bit of water if needed. Dough needs to be firm and not sticky.
- Let the dough rise for two hours, wrapping it with our Home Compostable Cling Wrap.
- When it's ready, roll your dough into a long roll, give it a horseshoe shape and braid the two strands loosely to form the loaf.
- Cover a baking pan with our Home Compostable and unbleached Baking Paper and place your loaf to rise for further 60 minutes.
- Bring a pan of water wide enough to contain your loaf to boil, dissolve your bicarb in it and boil your loaf for 30min each side.
- Remove the loaf from the pan and put it aside to dry.
- Finish its cooking in the oven for further 25 minutes at 220°.
