Pretzel Bites with Calabrian Chili Queso

Serves: 4 Total time: 1 hr

Ingredients for the Pretzel Bites:

• 1 cup warm wilk

• 1 and 1/8 tsp yeast (half a standard packet)

• 1 tsp brown sugar

• 2 tbsp salted butter, melted

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 and 3/4 cups ap flour

• 5 cups water

• 1/4 cup baking soda

• 1 egg, beaten

• coarse salt

• 2 more tbsp salted butter, melted for brushing

Instructions for the Pretzel Bites:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 400°

2. Combine milk, yeast, brown sugar, salt, and melted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer, stirring until the yeast and sugar have resolved. Set aside for 5 minutes, or until frothy.

3. Slowly add in the flour, creating a not overly sticky, but not too dry, dough.

4. Cover with plastic wrap, and let proof for about 10 minutes.

5. In this time, add the water and and baking soda to a pot. Bring this to a steady boil.

6. Tip proofed dough out onto a floured surface, and roll out into inch-thick logs. Cut each of the logs into pieces of about 1 and 1/2 inches.

7. In small batches, place the pieces of dough into the boiling water. After 30 seconds, use a slotted spoon to put each piece on a parchment lined baking sheet.

8. When all of the pretzel bites have been boiled, brush each with the beaten egg, and sprinkle with coarse salt.

9. Bake until golden brown, or 10-15 minutes.

10. Brush each pretzel with butter, and enjoy your pretzel bites with calabrian chili queso!

Ingredients for the Calabrian Chili Queso:

• 1 tbsp chopped calabrian chilis

• 1 tbsp salted butter

• 1 tbsp ap flour

• 3/4 cup milk

• 2 slices american cheese

• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions for the Calabrian Chili Queso:

1. Add the chilis and the butter to a medium saucepan, and sauté until fragrant over medium heat.

2. To the pan, whisk in the flour and continue whisking for about 2 minutes.

3. Whisk in the milk a little bit at a time, ensuring it is completely smooth before adding more milk.

4. Stir in the cheese until fully melted.