Place yeast, sugar and water into the Thermomix bowl and warm 2 minutes/37°C/speed 1.
Add flour and salt and blend 6 seconds/ speed 6. Knead 3 minutes/Interval.
Turn out onto floured silicone mat and prove until doubled. This can take up to two hours depending on the temperature of your kitchen. (See Tip.)
Preheat oven to 220°C and line a tray with baking paper.
Prepare a large bowl of warm water and stir through the baking soda to dissolve.
Divide dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each into a long sausage shape.
Holding each end of the dough, hit the mat a few times to lengthen and even out the dough. Make a large pretzel knot, push joins together and then dip into cooled baking soda water before placing directly onto paper-lined baking tray or heated pizza stone.
Cook for about 8 minutes until golden brown, remove and cool slightly before brushing with melted butter and sprinkling with coarse salt and grated parmesan.
To make pretzel bites:
Make pretzels up to Point 4, as above, then, divide dough into 4 equal pieces.
Roll each piece like a sausage and then flatten.
Place chorizo, cheese and jalapeños, if using, into the mixing bowl and chop 6 seconds/speed 6.
Using damp hands, form small balls with the mixture. Place one ball at the end of one of the flattened dough strips and fold over the end of the dough to encase the filling. Press to seal and cut. Repeat until all of the little ‘bites’ have been formed.
Place the bites into the baking soda water and remove with a slotted spoon. Place directly onto a paper-lined tray.
Cook as directed above.