1. Cover baking sheet with parchment. Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let rest 10 minutes. Add oil, flour, salt, and knead for 10 minutes (or put in a bread machine).
2. Divide and roll into long ropes; shape into a pretzels. Place on prepared baking sheet until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 450ºF. Bring water and baking soda to a boil. Liberally brush hot water/soda onto each pretzel and sprinkle with kosher salt, poppy seeds, and/or sesame seeds.
4. Bake or 12-15 minutes, flipping baking racks half way through if you have two sheets.
Source of recipe: Recipe reprinted from http://weblog.jessigurr.com/?p=177 [1] with permission.