Pretzel Crusted Cheese With Spicy Mustard Food

PRETZEL-CRUSTED CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1 cup shredded smoked gouda, 2 tablespoons each chopped pimientos and chives, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of cayenne pepper with a mixer. Form into 1-inch balls, place on a plate and refrigerate until slightly firm, at least 2 hours. Dust with 1 teaspoon paprika and roll in finely crushed pretzels just before serving.

PRETZEL-CRUSTED FRIED CHEESE WITH SPICY RANCH

Steps:

• In a food processor, process the pretzels into fine crumbs and transfer to a shallow dish.
• In a separate shallow dish, whisk together 3 eggs and 1/4 teaspoon salt to create a smooth egg wash.
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment. Dip the mozzarella cheese chunks into the egg wash, coating completely, and then into the pretzel crumbs, coating the cheese completely on all sides. Transfer to the prepared cookie sheet. Let the cheese stand for 5 minutes to set the coating, and then repeat the process, adding more eggs to the egg wash if necessary. When all the cheese is coated again, return to the cookie sheet and transfer to the freezer. Freeze the cheese for at least 2 hours and up to overnight. The longer the cubes freeze, the better they will fry.
• In a large bowl, blend the mayonnaise with the milk, chili sauce, vinegar, dill, parsley, garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until smooth, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate the dip until ready to serve.
• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven on the stovetop or in an electric fryer to 350 degrees F. Remove the cheese from the freezer. Fry a few pieces at a time until crispy brown, and place them onto a paper towel-lined cookie sheet to drain. Serve immediately with the spicy ranch dip.

PRETZEL CRUSTED CHEESE WITH SPICY MUSTARD

Steps:

• Pulse the mozzarella, Parmesan and cheddar cheeses and 2 teaspoons flour in a food processor until smooth. Roll tablespoons of the cheese mixture into 12 smooth balls. Transfer to a plate and freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Wipe out the food processor and add pretzels, pulsing until mostly finely ground (a few chunks are OK). Transfer to a shallow dish and set aside. Mix the remaining flour with ground pepper in another shallow dish and set aside. Whisk together eggs and mustard in a third dish and set aside.
• Remove cheese balls from freezer and dip one at a time into the egg mixture, then in the flour, then in egg mixture again, then roll in ground pretzels until fully coated. Repeat with all cheese balls and transfer to a plate. Refrigerate 20 minutes to set
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 inch vegetable oil in a large, sturdy saucepan or skillet until a deep-fry thermometer reads 360 degrees F. Place a cooling rack in a rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
• Using a slotted spoon, lower cheese balls, about 3-4 at a time, into the hot oil and fry until golden, about 30 to 45 seconds. Remove from oil with slotted spoon and place on cooling rack. Repeat with remaining cheese balls and place cooling rack with baking sheet in oven, baking cheese balls for about 5 minutes.
• To make the sauce: Whisk together sour cream, brown mustard, horseradish and sugar. Serve immediately with warm fried cheese bites.

PRETZEL CRUSTED CHICKEN BREAST WITH CHEDDAR CHEESY MUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat a large non-stick skillet with a 1/4-inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
• Sprinkle a little water into four medium food storage baggies. Place 1 chicken breast in each bag and seal it up, pushing out excess air. Use the bottom of a heavy pot or pan and pound each breast until flat, just shy of busting out of the bag. Repeat with the other 3 chicken breasts.
• Place the pretzels in a food processor or blender and grind until fine. Transfer the ground pretzels to a shallow dish, add the thyme and some salt and pepper.
• Crack and beat 2 eggs in a second shallow dish with a splash of water.
• One at a time, coat each chicken breast in the egg and then the ground pretzels.
• Add the pretzel-coated chicken breast to the hot oil. Cook in a single layer, in 2 batches if necessary, about 3 or 4 minutes on each side, until the juices run clear and breading is evenly browned.
• While the chicken is frying, in a medium saucepot over medium heat, melt the butter and add the flour to it.
• Cook flour and butter for 1 minute and then whisk in the milk.
• When the milk comes to a bubble, stir in the cheese and mustard with a wooden spoon.
• Season with a little salt and pepper, and remove cheese sauce from the heat.
• Transfer the fried pretzel-crusted chicken breast to a serving plate, drizzle with the mustard cheddar sauce, then sprinkle with a little parsley, finely chopped onion and sour dill pickle.
• Serve lemon wedges alongside.

CHEESE SAUCE FOR PRETZELS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until a pinch of flour sprinkled into the oil will just begin to bubble. Whisk in flour to form a thick paste the consistency of cake frosting, stirring constantly for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Stir in the milk, mustard, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and salt. Cook until mixture starts to bubble and thicken, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove from heat and gradually stir in Cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Keep in mind that the sauce will thicken as it cools, so if necessary, add a little more milk to reach dipping consistency.

PRETZEL-CRUSTED PICKLE CHIPS WITH MUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the sauce: Mix the onion, both mustards, the mayonnaise, paprika, garlic powder and salt to taste in a bowl. Set the sauce aside.
• Make the chips: Heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Gently pat the pickle slices dry with a paper towel.
• Put the pretzels in a large resealable plastic bag and crush into coarse crumbs using a rolling pin or heavy pan; transfer to a plate. Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl and put the flour in another bowl. Dredge the pickle slices in the flour, shaking off any excess; dip in the beaten eggs, then dip in the pretzel crumbs, turning to coat. Working in batches, fry the pickles until golden and crisp, about 1 minute per side. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with celery salt, if desired. Serve warm with the mustard sauce.

CHEESY PRETZELS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Grease cookie sheet. Mix all ingredients except egg and coarse salt in medium bowl with fork until soft dough forms. Smooth dough gently into ball on floured board. Knead 10 times. Divide dough in half.
• Roll half of dough into 12x8-inch rectangle. Cut rectangle lengthwise into eight 1-inch strips. Fold each strip lengthwise in half into 12x1/2-inch strip; pinch edges to seal. Twist each strip into pretzel shape. Place seam down on cookie sheet.
• Beat egg in small bowl with fork until blended. Brush pretzels with egg. Sprinkle lightly with coarse salt.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Repeat with remaining half of dough.

PRETZEL BITES WITH MUSTARD CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425ºF (218 C).
• Roll pizza dough into balls slightly smaller than the size of a golf ball.
• Bring a pot of water to a simmer, then add in barley malt syrup (or molasses if you don't have) stir in the baking soda. Add dough balls and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the water and place them on a parchment-lined sheet tray.
• Brush each dough ball with egg wash and sprinkle with a bit of coarse salt. Place tray in oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until pretzels turn a deep brown color.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the milk while whisking. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the milk begins to thicken slightly. Add in the French's Honey Mustard, cheese, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Whisk until cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Let the cheese sauce bubble for a few more minutes to thicken up slightly. Serve immediately with the pretzel bites!
• Enjoy!

PRETZEL CHICKEN WITH DIJON OR HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°.
• In a blender or food processor, pulse the hard pretzels until coarsely ground with the cayenne (optional); you are going for a mixture that has both coarse and ground pretzels. Transfer to a shallow bowl or plate and set aside.
• In a clean blender or food processor, add oil, mustards, water and vinegar (and optional cayenne) and blend until smooth. Season the dressing with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Add half of the dressing to another shallow bowl or container, add chicken and coat with dressing. Dredge the chicken in the pretzel crumbs to cover all sides and transfer to a rack that is placed on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Place chicken in the upper third of the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cooked through. Slice or serve whole and either warm or at room temperature with the remaining mustard dressing.