Football Finger Food

 Instead of our regular Sunday dinner,  I made some finger food to eat while we watched the football game.

 I made these pretzel buns stuffed with kielbasa.

For the pretzels

1. 2-1/4 tsp. rapid rise yeast
2. 2 T. light brown sugar
3. 1 1/2 c. warm water
4. 6 T. unsalted butter, melted
5. 4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
6. 2 t. salt
7. 1 lb. kielbasa
8. pot of water
9. 1/2 c. baking soda

For the beer cheese

1. 8 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2. 4. oz. shredded Swiss cheese
3. 3 oz. good German beer
4. 1 T. brown mustard
5. horseradish to taste (optional)
6. 1/4 t. garlic powder

Pretzels

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, add the yeast, brown sugar and water and allow to stand for about 5 minutes until the mixture looks foamy.
2. Stir in the melted butter.
3. Stir in the flour and salt and knead on low speed with the dough hook for at least 5 minutes.
4. Turn the dough out onto a smooth surface and add a little more flour if it is too sticky. Form into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, turning the dough to coat. Allow the dough to rise for 60 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
6. Get pot of water heating on stove.
7. Punch down dough and divide into 16 equal pieces. Cut the kielbasa into 16 equal pieces.
8. Flatten each piece of dough and place one piece of the kielbasa into the center. Pinch the dough to seal and then roll into a ball in your hands until the dough is very well-sealed around the sausage piece. Repeat with each piece of sausage and dough.
9. Bring the pot of water to a boil and gently add the baking soda. Drop four stuffed pretzels at a time into the boiling water and cook for about 30 seconds. Take the stuffed pretzels out of the water with a slotted spoon and transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
10. Brush the rolls with an egg wash and sprinkle the tops of the stuffed pretzels lightly with kosher salt.
11. Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until well-browned.

 I cut slices in the sausage before wrapping it in the dough to make it easier to bite.

Beer cheese:

In the bowl of a food processor, add the shredded cheese,  horseradish, beer, mustard and garlic powder. Process until smooth.

 I served them with a beer cheese spread and some Oktoberfest mustard I made.

I made a caraway dill rye bread, a loaf of sourdough and some pao de queijo .

 I also made a charcuterie platter with local cured meats and imported cheeses.

And regular pretzels.  Everyone loves fresh homemade pretzels. I also made a tomato butter which everyone really liked.

 For the first time in way too long, I made popcorn balls which are everyone's favorites.  My kids only took a few of them home because they said they were afraid they would eat them all and they didn't need the calories.  It's my husband's job to finish them off.  A job he takes seriously.

 My daughter pointed out that my Halloween decorations on the mantle looked like they spelled....bod bod bod. Damn!

 They actually spell Boo! Boo! Boo!.

 And my favorite witch agrees with me.

I have yet to find the right place for this new sign. (click for a closer look)