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Redhead (NYC) Pretzel recipe? (first try)

Whygee's picture
Whygee

Redhead (NYC) Pretzel recipe? (first try)

Hey,

I've just watched the S13E05 (Scratch made classics) of DDD and there's good pretzel recipe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj2rruTFZbs (see at 14:00). However, I cannot find the recipe on Food Network's website and was wondering if anybody was able to figure out the proportions for the ingredients.

I'm guessing she's doing some kind of cold ferment because they say the pretzels were in the fridge before they put them in lye water.

Thanks. 

Whygee's picture
Whygee

I see the original video has been deleted by YouTube so here's another link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkqMAahrWag

I'm working on the recipe, so I'll post it here if I can figure it out.

 

Whygee's picture
Whygee

As promised, here's the formulation that I came up with (it's based on Alton Brown's recipe for soft pretzel):

- 500g bread flour

- 62g WW flour

- 62g Rye flour

- 380 ml water

- 1 Tblsp Sugar

- 5 g IDY

- 2 tsp Salt

- 1 Tblsp Malt Syrup

-55g Melted butter

 

-          Mix all ingredients and knead for 5 mins in mixer

-          Proof 1hr

-          Shape and proof for 30 mins

-          Put in the fridge for 1 to 12 hours

-          Dip in a 3% lye (+ a bit of salt) solution for 10 to 15 seconds

-          Bake at 450 F for 12 to 14 mins, rotating the pans midway

 

jaywillie's picture
jaywillie

Were you happy with the flavor?

Is that true pretzel salt, or just kosher salt? When I use kosher salt, it just melts. But I have been unable to find a source for true pretzel salt.

jaywillie

jaywillie's picture
jaywillie

On the Redhead website, she mentions she is posting the pretzel recipe. But I can't actually find it anywhere there! She's either teasing or it's already been removed.

http://www.theredheadnyc.com/recipes/ddd-soft-pretzel-recipe/

jaywillie's picture
jaywillie

I wrote to the info address on the site and the chef promptly sent me her recipe. Just FYI.

Whygee's picture
Whygee

Can you copy it here or did she ask to keep it private? Thanks.

jaywillie's picture
jaywillie

She did not specifically say I could distribute it (I didn't ask), and it's her work, so I won't post it. If you write a well-mannered request, she'll probably send you a copy as well. She mentioned it wasn't on the site because the website was undergoing some changes.

info@theredheadnyc.com

Whygee's picture
Whygee

Yes I was pleased with the result, the rye and WW gives it a more complex flavour.

I've used coarse sea salt. It melts after a day or two but it's fine if you eat the pretzels on the same day you made them. If you want the real deal, you can get the pretzel salt on Amazon or a baking supplies store.

jaywillie's picture
jaywillie

Just to keep all informed, the salt sold on Amazon is not real pretzel salt, just kosher salt. Search previous threads here on TFL if you're interested in more on this topic.

catlick's picture
catlick

I wrote an email off to Meg at Redheads and kindly requested her pretzel recipe.  She answered me the next day with the recipe!   I followed both recipes exactly including using the lye bath. (No scary moments, easy to use when you follow instructions)  These are my results....Redhead's on the left and Silverton's on the right.  Both delicious and very different from each other.  Delicious chew and flavor for both. 

catlick's picture
catlick

catlick's picture
catlick

Whygee's picture
Whygee

The recipe was just posted on the website: http://theredheadnyc.com/ddd-soft-pretzel-recipe/

I'm happy to see my approximation was pretty close, I'm just surprised to see that the hydration level is so low.