Football season, school functions, and get-togethers are upon us as is the pressure to produce spectacular foods and desserts in record time.This recipe is a delicious go-to dish that everyone will love.The recipe looks a bit complicated, but it’s worth the bit of extra time it takes to prepare. The bread makes it special.The filling ingredients can be altered to suit your taste and can be made ahead of time. All it takes is a tight wrapping of plastic followed by aluminum foil or an airtight food bag. Just keep it refrigerated and uncut until serving time. Then you can warm nd serve. This can be done up to 3 days in advance.This will make 12 large pretzels or 3 heroes.

Pretzel Dough
 2 cups Rye Flour
2 cups Wheat Flour
 2 cups White Flour
 2 ¼ cups Water
4 tablespoons of sweet butter, plus more for brushing
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
2 teaspoons of kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling
1 packet of active dry Yeast
3 tablespoons Minced Jalapeno, seeds removed Or 3 Tablespoons minced jalapeno pickles; omit salt if using pickles

 Topping: caraway, fennel, minced dried onion, minced dried garlic poppy seeds , sesame seeds, coarse salt ; mixed or your favorite

 Combine 2 cups of warm water,( 110*-115*), butter, and brown sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle on the yeast and let stand until foamy, usually about 10 minutes. If the yeast does not foam, skim off and discard and start with fresh.

 For Pretzels: Add 3 cups of flour, one of each, and the 2 teaspoons of salt. Using a dough hook, mix on low speed. Add the jalapeno. Then, increase the speed to medium as the flour begins to incorporate, and then add the remaining 3 cups of flour. Mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Turn dough out onto a board, counter, or table , and knead until smooth . This usually takes 5-8 minutes. Brush a large bowl with butter, add the dough and turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap followed by a towel ,and let rise until doubled in size; usually takes about 1 hour. Punch down and knead for about 5 minutes. Roll the dough into a 24 inch rope, then cut the rope in 3 pieces and roll, then shape into pretzel shape of your choice. Place on oiled wax paper while you boil a large pot of water to which 2 tablespoons each of sugar and baking soda have been added. Reduce to a simmer. Cut parchment and slide one pretzel at a time into the water. When it floats, remove with as slotted spoon and place on oiled wax paper. Repeat until all pretzels are boiled. Heat the oven to 425. Place pretzels on a prepared  sheet. Brush with egg wash
and add toppings. Bake on top rack until nicely browned, about 12 minutes. Serve plain or with assorted sauces or mustard.

For Heroes: Follow recipe as above up until the one hour rise. After rising, knead for about 10 minutes until very smooth. Line cookie sheets with parchment and coat with spray or oil. Punch down and divide into 3 pieces. Cover the 2 remaining pieces. Roll and stretch the dough into a 3 sheets. Add the fillings of your choice. Make sure ends are pinched to avoid losing filling.Roll up like a jelly roll. Then twist roll into a pretzel shape. Or if you prefer leave it as a log. Wash the top with egg and top with seeds and spices as above. Let rise about 30 minutes covered. Bake at 400 until browned, about 15 minutes.

Filling Suggestions: Ham, Salmi, Provolone
                                  Turkey,  Swiss, Hot ham
                                  Roast beef, Munster
To any of these, add your favorites; roasted peppers, fried peppers, fried eggplant slices, roasted tomato,etc