NY Style Bagels

I've been feeling a little more adventurous in my cooking and baking lately. It must be with all this extra time at home and the need to feel like I've accomplished something. I could easily get this feeling by cleaning and doing my regular cooking, but where is the fun in that? I have seen a lot of people posting pictures of the bagels they've been making and have always wanted to try it. I also love seeing everyone else's food post as it means I am not the only one eating my way through Social Distancing.

I've now made these bagels a couple of times. I like that its a basic bagel recipe and that you add whatever toppings you like. The first time I made these I made Jalapeño Cheese bagels. The second time I made everything bagels as my mother in law just hooked me up with some everything bagel toppings. They are so GOOD!!! There are a lot of steps involved but everything is really simple so don't that that deter you from trying this recipe. I also love that it is 5 simple ingredients to make the bagels (plus what ever toppings you decide to add) and all ingredients that I keep on hand all the time.

The boys also liked the bagels. My youngest just couldn't get enough of them and kept running around the house to see who was still eating their bagel and begged for another bite!

When I made the bagels the first time I put the 1/2 cup of flour, sugar and yeast in a small bowl before adding it to the mixer with the four mixture. The second time I forgot that part and put the yeast mixture in the mixer and then added the flour on top and then still turned out great. See bottom picture of my second batch of everything bagels. Mix on medium speed for approximately 5 minutes and then knead by hand for an addition minute or two if needed. Place into a greased bowl and then cover with a damp cloth for an hour (I skip the damp cloth part and place it in my oven with the proof setting on).

After an hour punch the dough down and let rest for an additional 10 minutes. Now its time to split the dough into 8 round balls approximately the same size. Once the round dough balls have been formed you're going to poke your finger through the middle of each one and slowly stretch the hole out to make it look like a bagel. Cover with a tea towel and let rest for an additional 10 minutes. While they are resting you can get your pot of water boiling and turn your oven onto 425 degrees. You can also grease your cookie sheet or get it ready with parchment paper (I just grease my pan).

After 10 minutes of resting and your water is boiling you're going to place each bagel into the water (I do 2 at a time) and let them boil for 1 minute a side (or 2 minutes a side if you like a chewier bagel). Place the bagel onto the greased cookie sheet once its been boiled. Now is when you will add an egg wash and whatever toppings you are wanting to. Cook in your oven for 20 - 25 minutes once ready. (I only cooked mine for 20 minutes each time)

Ingredients:
1 Pkg Active Dry Yeast
1 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups water
3 1/2 cups flour (extra for kneading)
1 1/2 tsp salt

Toppings:
This is completely up to you what you choose to add.

Jalapeno Cheese: (Pictures)shredded cheese and chopped jalapeno peppers.

Everything toppings: poppy seeds, sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, minced dried garlic, minced dried onion and coarse salt.

Directions:
1. In 1/2 cup of the warm water, pour in the sugar and yeast. Do not stir and leave to sit for 5 - 10 minutes. Once it has rested stir the yeast and sugar mixture until all is dissolved in the water.

2. Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and pour in the yeast mixture.

3. Pour in 1/2 a cup of water into the well. Mix and stir in the rest of the water as needed. Depending on how you're mixing you may not need it all or you may need a little more water to ensure it all comes together into a firm and moist dough.

4. On a floured surface, knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

5. Lightly brush or spray a large bowl with oil and turn the dough to coat. Cover the bowl with a damp dish towel or place in oven on proof setting. Let rise for an hour and the dough has doubled in size. Punch the dough down and let it rise again for 10 minutes.

6. Preheat oven to 425. Divide the dough into 8 pieces and shape in to a round. Once rounds are formed take the dough balls one at a time and gently press into the counter top and help form a smooth dough round. Repeat with all.

7. Next you will press your finger into the centre of the dough ball to poke a hole and then stretch out the ring. Repeat with all.

8. After forming the rings place them on a greased cookie sheet and cover with damp dish towel to rise again for 10 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and then reduce the heat (4). Use a slotted spoon to flip bagel and take them out of the water but I used my hands to lower them into the water. Once bagel is floating up at the top, time 1 minute and then flip and leave for another minute. r

9. When you remove from the water, place bagels on sprayed cookie sheet. If you are putting toppings on your bagel this is the time to do it. Coat with an egg wash and then put desired toppings on bagels.

10. Once all bagels are boiled and topped with desired toppings (and oven is heated and ready) but bagels on cookie sheet into the oven for 20 minutes and they are nice and golden brown.

11. Cool on a wire rack once they're out of the oven. These are great as they are lighter than a store bought bagel and also great to freeze!