Bagels, Bagels!

Posted by -Lena

Bagels are always there on my 'to-bake' list but it's never been a priority here. But this time i know it's an opportunity for me to bake those bagels..that's the theme for this month Have The Cake (HTC) event. The challenging part of baking bagels to me is the boiling part..i'm not quite sure how to do it so i've actually watched a few clips in youtube. There some time given for the bagels to rise therefore I have to be really careful and gentle when transferring the bagels to the pot for boiling, otherwise they will all turn wrinkled. I've come across a few recipes for bagels, they all have different boiling time, some 30-60seconds and some 15seconds. I understand that the longer the boil, the chewier the crust will be. This applies too if we want a thicker crust and bagels are also meant to be dense. So dont expect it to be like those asian type of soft fluffy buns that we usually love, it's not. But the ones that i have in Coffeebean  here are not chewy, wonder why? Can somene tell me  what is really the texture of a true and good bagels, do they have to be very chewy till one's jaw get tired? There's a variety to put for toppings... poppy seeds, sesame seeds, cinnamon sugar, onions, etc..and make your favourite fillings and it's best to eat it fresh out from the oven while the crust is still crispy, it will lost its crispyness after a while.

Ingredients:( Biscuits, Baking and Cakes - the essential recipe cookbook)
450gm strong plain flour/bread flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
2tsp easy blend dried yeast
2 medium eggs
1 tsp clear honey ( i skipped this)
2tbsp sunflower oil
250ml/90z tepid water

To finish:
1tbsp caster sugar
beaten egg, to glaze

Method:
1.Preheat oven to 200C/400F 15 minutes before baking. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the yeast, then make a well in the centre.Whisk the eggs together with the honey and oil. Add to the dry ingredients with the tepid water amd mix to form a soft dough.
2.Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 10 mins unti lsmooth and elastic. Put in a bowl, cover with clingfilm and leave in a warm place to rise for 45 mins, or ubtil doubled in size.
3.Briefly knead the dough again to knock out the air. Divide the dough into 12 pieces, form each into a 20.5c/8inch roll, curve into a ring and pinch the edges to seal. Put the rings on an oiled baking sheet, cover with clingfilm and leave to rise in a warm place for 20 mins, or unti risen and puffy.
4. Add the caster sugar to a large saucepan of water. Bring to the boil, then drop in bagels one at a time and poach for 15seconds. Lift out with a slotted spoon and resturn to baking tray.
5.Brush the bagels with beaten egg and sprinke with toppings. Bake for 12-15minutes or until golden brown.