Monday, May 23, 2011

Bagels are Easy

I recently scored a two pound block of triple-cream Danish blue cheese for $5 from my favorite discount grocer.  Wow! It's so silky soft, not crumbly like the lesser blues I've had before, that we've been spreading it on homemade bagels.  With a cup of black coffee and a few crisp apple slices, this is a wonderful breakfast.


And here I will post the bagel recipe for my cousin who agrees with me that good commercial bagels are expensive.

Bagels (from Recipes from the Old Mill)

Mix together and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes:
1.5 c. warm water
2 Tbs. honey
1 Tbs. dry yeast

Add:
2 c. unbleached flour
2 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 tsp. salt

Knead dough for 5-8 minutes.  Grease bowl and dough, cover, and allow to rise until double (about 45 minutes).

Bring to boil 4 quarts water.  If you want to flavor the bagels, add sesame seeds, cinnamon/raisins, or sauteed onion, etc. now and knead it in.  Punch down and divide dough into 8 equal pieces.  Shape each into a ball, poke a hole in the center and gently pull and work into a bagel shape.  Allow to rest for a few minutes.  Drop 3 bagels in boiling water for 2 minutes; turn the bagels and boil for 2 more minutes.  Place them on a well-greased cookie sheet.  Repeat process for the rest of the bagels.  At some point, turn the oven on to 400.  When all the bagels are boiled, (optional:  brush them with one beaten egg) bake them at 400 for 20 minutes.  Cool on racks. 


Genevieve has peach jam on her other slice - peach jam made by my canning pal, Rachel, who got tired of the tedious small batches of jam.  She tripled the jam recipe and further shortened that tiresome canning by bunging the jam in quart jars.  I LOVE HER STYLE.  Let's can again this summer, ok, Rachel?

("Peach Jam: yup, a whole quart")

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9 comments:

  1. BLD in MTMay 23, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    That Old Mill cookbook is swell, isn't it? I had it recently through the library and like every recipe I tried. Homemade bagels certainly start my day off right. Now if only I had a huge jar of jam like that....

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  2. Christian - Modobject@HomeMay 23, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    A quart of homemade peach jam would make me happy... yup, very happy! Never made bagels before; you make it sound easy and doable so I should try. That's one thing I really like about you... you break down intimidating tasks into simple challenges.

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  3. PollyMay 23, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    This is so great. A friend posted photos and recipe of her homemade bagels on facebook a couple of days ago and I was so excited, but the recipe looked complicated with lots of steps and footnotes and I'm at a place in life where I cannot do complex. This recipe, however, looks totally doable and FUN!! I love bagels...need to make some English muffins this week so I think I'll just go on a spree! Thank you!

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  4. MargoMay 23, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    Christian, that compliment means a lot to me. thanks!

    and Polly, I tried to make English muffin bread one time and I was not pleased with the results. Could you share your recipe??

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  5. CrystalMay 23, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    I've had good sucess with the recipe in Recipes from the Old Mill.

    I agree that you make it sound easy, but my experience is that it's more work than care for. But since they look so delicious and my daughter asked me make them earlier today, I might just try!

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  6. RachelMay 23, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    I would like to point out that I did not triple the batch of jam....I quadrupled it.
    Heh.

    Glad you're enjoying the jam, and YES let's can. But I really don't need more jam this year :)

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  7. Beloved's Redheaded BrideMay 23, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    This is fabulous! Thanks You.

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  8. Sarah BarryMay 24, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    my mouth is watering for the bagel - blue cheese - black coffee {my fave} - apple slice breakfast. so European. sounds divine.

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  9. Jacinta @ modelmummaMay 24, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    OOOOOOH YEAH BAGELS! That is one thing I adored eating when I visited the U.S. They've only started selling them here the past 5 yrs perhaps but not all grocery stores and only in small amounts. I would make it now but no wheat flour. Will add to grocery list now. mm.... i like my bagels with cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers.. *drool* xo

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