Tuesday, January 11, 2011

John's Famous Bagels

Slicing the dough

Our son-in-law made the most amazing bagels for us when they were home at Christmastime. I've never attempted to make bagels, so I was very interested in watching this process. So maybe they're not famous now, but he's young - give him time.


 Pressing out the center

Shaped and ready for the first quick searing in the oven

 Boiling

 After the egg wash and the baking

Ta-da!! Ready to serve

John's Famous Bagels:

Recipe adapted from www.cdkitchen.com

Ingredients:
***Dough***
1 1/2 cup warm water (110 to 115*F / 45*C )
1 tablespoon dry active yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 cups unbleached bread flour (more if needed)


***Kettle Water***
6 quarts water
1 teaspoon salt


***Toppings (optional)***
Sesame seeds
Poppy seeds
Caraway seeds
Coarse salt
Corn meal (John first sprinkled the baking sheets, as suggested, but since it wanted to burn, he switched to simply dipping the bagels into a bowl of corn meal before setting on baking sheets. That worked so much better.)


Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, stir together water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes.

With a wooden spoon, stir in oil and one cup of the flour. Add salt, then enough of remaining flour to make a stiff dough.

On a lightly floured surface, knead for 10 to 12 minutes. Cover with a floured dish towel and allow dough to rest on a board for about 15 minutes.

Divide dough into 8 sections and form each section into 10-inch long strips. Roll the ends together to seal and make a ring. Place on a lightly floured surface, cover, and let bagels rest 15 to 20 minutes, rising about halfway and becoming slightly puffy.

Meanwhile, fill a large cooking pot or Dutch oven three quarters full with water. Add the salt.

Bring water to a boil. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a large jelly roll pan with baking parchment and set aside.

Line another jelly roll pan with a kitchen towel, set near your stove. Reduce boiling water to a simmer and cook 2 bagels at a time (do not crowd the pot). Simmer bagels for about 45 seconds on one side, then turn and cook other side for another 45 seconds and then drain bagels on the towel-lined baking sheet.

Dip bagel into corn meal so that the bottom is covered, then set on parchment-lined jelly roll pan. Make up an egg wash (2 eggs, beaten) and brush tops of bagels with egg. If you want seed toppings,  then immediately after applying egg wash sprinkle poppy seeds or sesame seeds on the bagels. If you don't do it right away, the egg will dry and the seeds will simply fall off.

Carefully place bagels on the parchment-lined baking sheets. The original recipe called for six bagels on the baking sheet, but I would place all 8 bagels on the jelly roll pan. Place in the hot oven, immediately reduce heat to 425 degrees F, and bake about 17 to 25 minutes. Transfer bagels to wire rack to cool.




These freeze well, which helps to retain a just-baked taste, if they aren't all eaten on the first day. To freeze, slice cooled bagels first, place a small strip of plastic between the bagel halves and place in a plastic self-sealing freezer bag. When you're ready for a bagel, they'll come apart easily, ready to pop into the toaster/oven and enjoy.

This post is linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
 

29 comments:

Unknown said...

I never had the patience to make bagels!! :) These look incredible..thanks for sharing!!

danika said...

what a handsome son-in-law! :D

Emily {Frilly Details} said...

Wow, I bet those were delicious! I love bagels but have never tried making them. I may have to give this recipe a try!

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

Homemade bagels have been on my 'must make' list for a long time! After seeing John's step by step process I'm going to make these!!! how delicious!

Michelle said...

Wow, homemade bagels sound wonderful! I'm not good with bread other than banana/zucchini type breads. I might just have to give this a try though they sound and look so good.

SnoWhite said...

Those look awesome! There is nothing better than homemade bagels.

Under Her Wings said...

Oh, those look good! I'm trying to refrain from eating too many breads, and you post this! We're still "snowed in" (I know you laugh at that, we with our 5".) But my thin blood doesn't like 30* and wind! It's supposed to be 17 tonight. Brr...

MrsJenB said...

Mmmmm...I have been thinking of making bagels for such a long time now. This looks time consuming but easy enough for someone who's made lots of bread before. I might have to give this one a shot this weekend!

Visiting from Tasty Tuesdays

Heide said...

Yum! My sister Mandy makes bagels. I haven't actualy made any. I am goign to tell her about just punching out the middle, she has been shaping them. The punching method looks like it would be easier. They are so good with raisins and cinnamon!

Rachel said...

Reading this post has reminded me that I missed lunch! Those look great!

Have a great week!

:)
Rach

J_on_tour said...

These look Impressive & I'm sure they tasted just as good.... John looks pleased with himself.

Candace said...

Those look so yummy! I'm impressed! I know they were delicious. You have a Chef Son-in-Law too. Aren't they a blessing?!

Cranberry Morning said...

I was always pretty intimidated by the thought of making bagels, but watching John made me realize they're not a whole lot different from baking bread - just a couple extra steps. And there's nothing like that wonderful, chewy center!

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

Wow! Those bagels look fabulous! I have attempted a few times to make them but need to try this recipe. :)

Heide said...

Just had to let you know, Mandy made them tonight! So good! We love them! They smell heavenly too! She did cinnamon as we like to have them for breakfast! Tell your son in law thank you!

You should all really try them!!

Judy S. said...

Yum!

Linda Stubbs said...

Our daughter Tressa loves bagels.......I have always wanted to try them......now reading your post I think I could do it. They look easier than I thought. Very nice post...........they look nummy! Thank you for making it look so simple.

I will let you know how they turn out......smile.....hope they are as pretty as what your son in love made!
Hugs sweet friend.......still love the name "Cranberry"!
Linda

Ross said...

Thanks for sharing! I fully intend on making these as I love bagels! Great site by the way, I'll be back to check out more of your site.

alissa {33shadesofgreen} said...

I've always wanted to make bagel's and your son-in-laws recipe makes me want to try them right away! Yum. Thanks so much for linking up to Tasty Tuesdays.
Alissa

Deborah said...

Wow, they look so good. I love bagel's and have never made them either. Scott and Tracey have made them a time or two and say it isn't that hard to do. I would love one with home made jam and cream cheese. Hmmm...do you have any of these in the freezer? (maybe next to the stollen?) :)

Aleksandra Nearing said...

Wow, how dumb am I, I didn't know you boiled bagels! I might have my hubby try this recipe. I have no patience for dealing with kneading dough. Thanks!!

Tiffanee said...

These look amazing!! I have always wanted to make my own bagels. Now you give me inspiration to finally try it. Thanks.

Yenta Mary said...

Oh, they're GORGEOUS!!! And as a native NYer, I am most impressed that they were boiled first, the proper way. Oh, what I would give for one right now!!!

Anonymous said...

Those bagels look delicious!

I'm following your blog through the blog hop :)

~ Stacey ~

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Sweet T Makes Three said...

We don't have a bagel shop here in the sticks so I may have to try this.
New blog hop follower
Sweet T Makes Three

Karen Harris said...

Ok, I've got to make these. You've inspired me! I'll let you know how it goes.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love homemade bagels!! I've gone on a bagel making break lately but your pics are making my mouth water! I've always formed the dough myself but your son in law's technique looks way easier, I'll have to give it a try next time!

Lisa said...

Wow, what talent. How wonderful that you were able to have such delicious freshly made bagels.

partialemptynester said...

OMGosh, yum!!!!!!!

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