Pretzel-flavored cheese dumplings

Ingredients:

• 1 pack 390 g chilled pizza dough
• 180 g processed cheese, cut into 24 1 cm squares.
• 2/3 cup baking soda
• Coarse salt for topping
• Hot mustard, for dipping

Preparation:

1. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Spray the baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Press and stretch the dough into a 27 x 40 cm rectangle. Cut the rectangle into twenty-four 6 cm squares.
3. Place a piece of cheese in the center of each square. Pinch two opposite corners of the dough together over the cheese. Do the same with the other two corners to form a packet. Pinch the folded sides together to secure the cheese inside. Repeat with the remaining dough and cheese.
4. In a medium saucepan, heat 6 cups of water over high heat. Stir in the baking soda and bring to a boil. Working in batches, cook the packets for 30 seconds. Transfer them seam-side up to the prepared baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with salt.
5. Bake the vareniki, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until dark brown, about 10 minutes. Serve with hot mustard.