Garlicky Pretzel Pizza Rolls

On a day when it’s semi-cooler I suggest you make these. Perhaps a great snack for watching the World Cup. I made these for Easter - yes I know that was a while ago but they are timeless snack worthy of a post even if it comes in mid-June.

I started off with visions for replicating this recipe. Things didn’t work out as planned. I tried to make the dough suggested in the recipe that is supposed to be like Auntie Anne’s pretzels (I LOVE AUNTIE ANNE’S PRETZELS). Alas, the milk I used was too hot & I’m pretty sure that I killed the dry active yeast because although it was Easter, it did not rise again. Being that I was making these rather last minute I had to use what I had - so I used pizza dough i had in the fridge.  I used the same method as making pretzels (remember these yummies?) so I think they were pretty close to the initial recipe. The result was tasty & I don’t think anyone (but me) missed the Auntie Anne’s pretzel dough. The next time I make these I will try that recipe again (I WILL!!!). 

Hope you have a fabulous weekend :)

Ingredients:

• 1 ball of pizza dough (store bought or homemade, I swear by this recipe)
• 1 teaspoons fine salt
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
• 1/2 cup chopped spinach
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley (optional)
• flour (for the surface you work on)

• 1/3 cup baking soda
• 3 cups warm water
• Coarse salt (I used kosher, but the coarser the better)
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• Pizza or tomato sauce for dipping

Make it!

1. Place pizza dough a greased bowl & cover with a wet cloth.
2. Let rise for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 400º.
4. In a large bowl (or 4 cup measuring cup) combine the warm water & baking soda.
5. Divide the dough into four pieces on a floured cutting board.
6. Roll one quarter of the dough into a thick rope/log.
7. Flatten the rope of dough with a  floured rolling pin.
8. Top with half of the cheese, pepperoni & spinach. We have some vegetarians in our family so i made some without pepperoni.
9. Pinch together trying to seal the cheese and pepperoni in the best you can. If you want to distinguish between veggie & meaty rolls, sprinkle some dried parsley on the veggie one. I like to press it in lightly so that you can see the green on the top.
10. Continue with the other three pieces of dough until you have four stuffed ropes.
11. In a large bowl add the baking soda & water.
12. Dunk the each rope in the baking soda water for only a couple seconds. Remove from water & slice into bite sized pieces with a (serrated) knife. Place on a greased (or parchment covered) baking sheet & sprinkle with coarse salt.
13. Bake for about 8 minutes or until browned.
14. While the rolls bake, melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave until it is liquify.
15. Stir in the garlic powder so that the mixture resembles Papa John’s garlic butter sauce.
16. Paint each roll wit the melted garlic butter while hot.
17. Serve with pizza sauce.