German Style Sweet Mustard Food

GERMAN-STYLE SOFT PRETZELS WITH SWEET BROWN-MUSTARD BUTTER

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the water and yeast. Stir in the molasses and set aside until the yeast is bloomed and foamy, 5 to 7 minutes.
• In a large bowl, add the flour, butter and sea salt and use your hands to press and pinch the butter so that it's coated in flour. Add the yeast mixture and cider and stir together with a fork or a Danish dough whisk to make a loose, shaggy dough.
• Use your hands to combine the dough or beat the dough in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, until the dough forms a loose ball, about 1 minute. The dough will be firm. (If it feels sticky, add in a bit more flour, a teaspoon at a time, until it is tacky.)
• Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface or beat the dough on medium-high speed, until it's smooth and springs back when pressed, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the dough, seam-side down, to a well-buttered bowl, turn to coat completely and cover tightly. Let the dough rise until it has doubled in size, 2 to 3 hours at room temperature, or at least 8 hours or up to overnight in the refrigerator (a longer resting time develops the flavor of the dough even further).
• Lightly flour a clean work surface and turn out the dough. Press down gently to deflate. Cut the dough into 8 equal-sized pieces. Cover the dough and, working with 1 piece at a time, roll between your palms and the surface to create a long rope, about 12 inches long. (The dough will spring back as you work with it. If it's being stubborn, set it aside under a towel and come back to it.) Continue with the remaining dough until all 8 pieces are in long ropes, using a bit of a damp hand to create more friction as needed. Let all the ropes rest while you prepare the baking sheets.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats. Begin rolling each rope again, working them into a long 25- to 30-inch rope with a slightly thicker center and tapered ends (Don't worry if they're not perfect, they will still be delicious!).
• Shape each rope into a U shape. Hold the ends in each hand and lift and cross to make an X a third of the way down from the ends. Fold the ends of the dough toward the bottom, creating a slight overhang, and pinch to seal against the fatter part of the dough, creating a pretzel shape. If this is challenging or your dough is really puffy, fold and loop the dough around itself into a spiral, creating a pretzel bun instead. Transfer to the prepared sheets, leaving space between them.
• Spray a piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray and lay over the top. Let them rest in a warm (but not hot) place until they have doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, position the racks in the middle and lower third of the oven, then preheat the oven to 475 degrees F on convection setting if available.
• Bring 6 cups of water and the baking soda to a gentle simmer in a wide stainless-steel saucepan. Using a large skimmer, fish spatula or slotted spoon, lower 1 to 2 pretzels into the soda water and cook, keeping the water at a low simmer, 10 seconds per side. Remove, letting all the water drip off, and return to the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pretzels.
• Before baking, reshape each pretzel as needed, schooching them with a spoon or gloved hand (they can be slippery) to guide them into shape. Brush the tops of each pretzel with the egg wash, then sprinkle with salt. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until deep golden brown, 11 to 12 minutes.
• Serve warm with Sweet Brown Mustard Butter. Eat within 24 hours, or cool completely, wrap well and freeze for afternoon snacks.
• Combine the butter, mustard and honey, working together with a spoon or a spatula until lightly streaked and flavorful (do not fully combine, as the mustard can break the butter). Serve at room temperature. Makes 1/4 cup.

EASY SWEET MUSTARD

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well.
• Let the sauce sit for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. This will allow all the flavors to meld. You can use it immediately, but the longer you let it sit in the refrigerator, the more flavorful it will be.

BAVARIAN SWEET MUSTARD (BAYERISCHER SüßER SENF)

Steps:

• Bring all ingredients, except for the mustard seeds, to boil in a medium stock pot. Simmer covered for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let steep for 1 hour. Strain the ingredients and place the vinegar solution in a large non-reactive bowl (preferably glass).
• Use a spice or coffee grinder to very coarsely grind the mustard seeds.
• Stir the coarsely ground mustard seeds into the vinegar solution. The mixture will initially be liquidy and will thicken over time. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 weeks before using to allow the flavors to meld and deepen. The mustard will initially be quite hot but over this resting period the heat will become more subdued.
• Stored in the fridge, this mustard will keep up to 6 months.
• Note: This recipe can be halved or quartered if you don't want to make a large amount.

EXTRA SPICY MUSTARD

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients into a bowl and stir with a spoon until everything is combined.
• Then use an electric mixer and mix the mustard for 5 minutes.
• Put the mustard into a jar with a lid and let stand 3 to 4 weeks.
• After several weeks the spiciness should be reduced, the consistency should be spreadable and your mustard is ready.

GERMAN STYLE MUSTARD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine mustard seed and dry mustard; set aside.
• In a 1- to 2-quart non-aluminum pan, combine remaining ingredients. Simmer uncovered, on medium heat until reduced by half, 10-15 minutes. Pour the mixture into the mustard mixture. Let mixture soak at room temperature 24 to 48 hours; adding additional vinegar if necessary in order to maintain enough liquid to cover seeds.
• Process the seeds and mixture in a blender or food processor until pureed to the texture you like (this can take at least 3 or 4 minutes).
• The mixture will thicken upon standing.
• If it gets too thick after a few days, stir in additional vinegar. Scrape mustard into clean, dry jars; cover tightly and age at least 3 days.

HOT & SWEET GERMAN-STYLE MUSTARD

Steps:

• Grind mustard seeds in spice grinder.
• In small bowl, combine mustard seeds, vinegar, oil, honey and tarragon and stir until smooth and paste-like.
• You can"cool down" the mustard by adding more oil or honey.
• Store in refrigerator in small, tightly lidded jar.

SPICY GERMAN MUSTARD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the mustard seed and dry mustard.
• In a 1- to 2-quart stainless steel or nonreactive saucepan , combine the rest of the ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, over medium heat until the mixture is reduced by half, which will take 10 to 15 minutes.
• Pour the mixture into the bowl with the mustard seed. Let it stand, covered, at room temperature for 24 hours. You may have to add more vinegar to keep enough liquid in the mixture in order to adequately cover the seeds.
• Process the mixture in a blender or food processor until it is blended to the texture you like; this can take at least 3 or 4 minutes. You can leave it with some whole seeds remaining, or make a smoother paste.
• Scrape mustard into clean, dry jars. Cover them tightly and place in the refrigerator for at least one day but preferably three to allow the flavors to meld. (The mixture will continue to thicken. If it gets too thick after a few days, stir in additional vinegar.)
• Enjoy.

GERMAN-STYLE SWEET MUSTARD

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.

GERMAN-STYLE SWEET POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Put the sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with 2 inches water. Add 2 tablespoons salt. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the sweet potatoes are knife-tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain well and put in a large bowl. Keep warm.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the grease and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the grease behind in the skillet. Return the skillet to medium-low heat, then add the onions and cook until translucent, about 10 minutes.
• Stir the mustard and vinegar into the skillet with the onions, then whisk to combine. Let the dressing simmer for a minute, then pour over the sweet potatoes in the bowl. Add half of the bacon and toss to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the sweet potato salad to a serving platter and garnish with the remaining bacon and parsley. Serve hot or chill to serve cold.

SWEET BAVARIAN MUSTARD

Steps:

• Combine the vinegar, water, onion, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon stick, allspice, cloves, and turmeric in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Allow the liquid to boil rapidly to reduce the volume by half, about 10 minutes.
• Put the yellow and brown mustard seeds in a medium heat-proof bowl. Strain the hot vinegar mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into the bowl of mustard seeds. Use a heat-proof silicone spatula to press the onions into the strainer to extract all of the liquid. Push the mustard seeds down to completely submerge them in the liquid, cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours.
• Transfer the seeds and liquid to a food processor and process until it forms a smooth paste. Put the mustard in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least a 3 days, and preferably 1 week, before serving to allow its pungency to mellow. After about 2 weeks, the mustard is at its prime. It will keep, refrigerated, for several months. If the mustard becomes too thick as it matures, thin it out by adding a splash of vinegar or water.