Plain Bagels

Here's a confession for you.

I grew up in New York (state).  Several times, I've visited New York (city).  But, I've never had an authentic New York (bagel).

Guess I don't need the parentheses on that one.

Anyway, I've always wanted to make homemade bagels because I never really understood how they were done.  They were somewhat of a mystery being that they were like bread, but exponentially better.  I assumed there was some secret ingredient or super-hard bagel technique that I had no time to master.

In truth, bagels are pretty freakin' easy.  I mean, if you've got time to make yeast bread or pizza dough, this will be no hardship for you.  And it just so happens that I have no social life and can easily fit bagel making into my bleak schedule.

As it were, I decided to start this adventure with plain bagels because I didn't want to get too creative, too confusing or too messy.  Best to tread lightly on your first encounter with homemade bagels.  But you are welcome to get as crazy and messy as you want with your bagels.  Now that I've got the basic recipe down, I'm already daydreaming about possible flavors and toppings.



Plain Bagels
(adapted from Serious Eats)

3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 packet active dry yeast
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups hot water

Combine the flour, yeast, sugar and salt with a stand mixer on medium.  Slowly add warm water and knead the dough until it becomes elastic.

Transfer dough to an oiled bowl, and let rise for 1-2 hours.  The dough will double in size.

Preheat oven to 400F and start a pot of 6 quarts water and 1 1/2 tbsp sugar on medium-high to boil.

Give the dough a light punch on a floured cutting board.  Divide the dough into 10 equal portions.  Shape each dough portion into a bagel loop.

Once the water boils, drop in up to 3 bagels at a time.  Do not let them touch.  The bagels will sink and then rise again.  Cook for 30 seconds on each side.

Remove the bagels from water and pat dry.  Set them on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.  Flip them over and bake an additional 10 minutes.



Listening to:   Snoop Dogg - California Love