Rye Pretzel Dogs

I saw these rye pretzel dogs from Mirror Image Recipes quite some time ago. They had been on my to make list but just kept getting bumped off for one reason or another.

I used two different kinds of sausages to make these Rye Pretzel Dogs: Chicken and apple for Blockette and I, and jalapeno chicken for Mrblocko.  The chicken sausages come in packages of 4, so I made 8 pretzel dogs and 4 plain rye pretzels.

As you can see, they get the Blockette thumbs up seal of approval.

These were a nice change of pace, but I think I prefer an all beef hot dog wrapped in regular pretzel dough. Although, the rye version with chicken sausage is probably a slightly healthier choice.

Rye Pretzel Dogs from Mirror Image Recipes
1 package active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (about 100°F)
1 Tbsp honey
1 cup rye flour
about 3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp salt
up to 10 or 11 sausages
For the bath
10 cups water
1/2 cup baking soda

Pour warm water over over yeast in a large bowl. Add honey and stir to dissolve. Add rye flour, 2 1/2 c all-purpose flour and salt and stir again.Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead, adding all-purpose flour as needed until the dough is tacky but not sticky. Knead for about 12 min til dough is smooth.
Spray a large bowl with nonstick spray. Place dough in bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Let rise for about 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 450°F. Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray. Separate dough into 3 oz (2 1/2 ") balls. On un-floured surface, roll a ball into rectangle slightly bigger than sausage. Wrap long edges of dough around sausage, pressing seam to seal. Pinch ends of dough shut and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and sausages. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 15-20 min.

Meanwhile, pour 10 c water into large pot and bring to boil. Add baking soda to boiling water. Boil pretzel dogs (I boil 2 at a time) for 30 sec, flip and boil another 30 sec. Return to baking sheet. Bake 15-18 min until dark golden to mahogany in color.

If you have leftover dough, separate it into 1.5 oz (1 1/2") balls. Roll each ball into a rope about 18" long. Twist into a pretzel shape and place on prepared baking sheet. Let pretzels rest, then boil and bake as above.
Makes 10-11 pretzel dogs or 20-22 pretzels

To Freeze: Once pretzel dogs have cooled to room temp, place in zip bag and into the freezer. They can be reheated in the microwave for about 2 min from frozen,or thaw in fridge and reheat at 350°F for 10 min.