Pretzel Brats

• Seahawks football has begun..so bring on the football food.  Each game day my sweetheart and I sit down to watch the game together...and indulge in some good old football food.  This was our choice for the preseason game this week.   
  This original recipe was for pretzel dogs..and if you prefer you could switch out the brats for the hot dogs.  You will only need to bake them for 10 minutes.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  6 oz. beer or water, warmed to 110 degrees
• 1-1/2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 2-1/4 cups bread flour
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1/2 large egg yolk
• 1-1/2 teaspoons water
• 5 cups water
• 1/3 cup baking soda
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt, divided - or to taste
•   8 brats

Dissolve yeast in the water or beer.  Whisk in sugar and salt.  Mix in bread flour.   Knead for 5 minutes.  Form into a ball, put into a greased bowl and allow to rise for one hour.  Roll dough out into a 13 x 9 rectangle.  Cut into 8 lengthwise strips.  Wrap one strip around each brat.  

Bring 5 c. water and baking soda to a boil.  Drop wrapped brat into the boiling water fro 30 seconds. Place brat onto a greased baking sheet.  Mix egg yolk and water.  Brush onto the dough covered brat.  Sprinkle with salt.  Do this for all remaining brats.  Place baking sheet with brats into a 425 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.  Serve with mustard.