BREAD RECIPE: Homemade Bagels
 

3 1/2-cup all-purpose flour 1-tsp sugar 1-cup warm water 1-tbsp active dry yeast 2-eggs 1-tbsp vegetable oil 2-tbsp sugar 2-tsp salt 16-cups water 2-tbsp honey 1/2-cup sesame or poppy seeds 1-egg beaten

In a large bowl, dissolve 1-tsp sugar in 1-cup warm water
Sprinkle in yeast and let stand 10 minutes or until frothy
Whisk in egg and oil
Beat in 2-cups of flour, 2-tbsp sugar and salt until smooth
With a wooden spoon, gradually stir in the remaining flour to make a soft but not sticky dough
Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface
Knead 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic
Place in a greased bowl and turn the dough to coat all over
Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 11/2 hours
Punch down dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface
Knead several more times
Divide into 8 pieces
Method 1:
Roll each piece into a rope long enough to wrap around your hand
Cover ropes with tea towel while you work to prevent drying out
Bring rope ends together and overlap by 1 inch
Press the ends together to seal
Method 2:
Form the dough into a ball
Poke a hole in the middle with your thumb and rotate the dough to make the hole even
The dough should be evenly stretched to avoid thin and thick spots
Place on lightly floured baking sheet, cover and let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes
Bring a large pot of water to a boil
Add the honey and reduce to medium heat
Slip the bagels into the water 3 or 4 at a time
Cook for 1 minute
Turn with slotted spatula, cook for another minute
Remove from water with the spatula and transfer to a greased baking sheet
Sprinkle seeds over a plate
Brush the beaten egg over the top of the bagel
Dip this side into the seeds and return to baking sheet
Bake in centre of 400*F oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden or bagels sound hollow when tapped on bottom
Remove from oven and let cool on rack

Makes 8

MORE BREAD RECIPES