1/8 c. hot water
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 1/3 c. warm water
1/3 c. brown sugar
5 c. flour
Extra flour
Coarse Kosher salt (or regular)
Baking soda

Heat oven to 475 degrees. In large bowl, mix hot water and yeast until yeast dissolves. Stir in warm water and brown sugar. Slowly add 5 cups flour to the mixture, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until mixture is smooth and doesn't stick to the sides of the bowl. Put the dough on a lightly floured board. Knead the dough until it is stretchy and smooth. Push it down and away from you with the palms of your hands, turn dough as you work.

Grease 2 cookie sheets very well. Sprinkle with salt. Set the sheets aside. Pinch off a piece of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll piece of dough into a rope 14 inches long and as thick as your thumb. Bend rope into a "U" shape. Cross one end of the rope over the other end. The ropes should cross about 3 inches from the tips. Twist the ends, making a full turn. Fold the ends back, toward the middle of the "U".

Fill a pan with water for every cup of water add 1 tablespoon baking soda. Bring water to a gentle boil. Use spatula to lower each pretzel into pan. Count to 30 then lift pretzel onto prepared sheets. Repeat until dough is all used up. Sprinkle some salt atop pretzels. Bake 8 minutes or until golden brown.