Pretzel Bread Bowl with Cheese Dip
1 cup finely crushed cheddar miniature pretzels
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 package (1/4 ounce) quick-rise yeast
2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
2 to 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup water
1/4 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1 teaspoon yellow cornmeal
egg wash:
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon water
Kosher salt, optional
dip:
2 cups sour cream
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
Chopped seeded jalapeno peppers and additional shredded pepper jack cheese, optional
Assorted fresh vegetables
Mix pretzels, dressing mix, yeast, sugar, baking soda and 1 cup flour. In a small saucepan, heat water, milk and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat on low speed until moistened. Add cheese; beat on medium 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough.
Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Cover with plastic and let rest 10 minutes.
Grease a baking sheet; sprinkle with cornmeal. Shape dough into a round loaf; place on prepared pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Whisk egg white with water; brush over top of loaf. If desired, sprinkle with salt. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped, 30-35 minutes. Cool on pan 5 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
For dip, mix sour cream, pepper jack cheese and dressing mix. Refrigerate until serving.
To serve, cut one fourth off top of bread loaf. Hollow out bottom of loaf, leaving a 1/2-in.-thick shell. Cut removed bread into cubes. Fill bowl with dip. If desired, top with peppers and additional cheese. Serve dip with bread cubes and vegetables.
