Bagels!

Here's one of those recipes that gets easier each time you make it.  It is by no means hard just a process.  I found the original post here but not a lot of pictures.  These bagels may not win a beauty contest but they beat the dry store bought ones any day of the week!!

This is not very different than making bread but what makes a bagel have the texture is by boiling it before it is baked. 

Here's everything that you will need.  Add to the mixer 1 TB of sugar, 1 TB of oil, 2 tsp of yeast, pinch of salt, & 1 1/2 cups of warm water.  Let sit until the yeast has activated (see picture below) Then work in 4 cups of bread flour.

 Once it is worked in, put the dough on a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes or until dough is elastic. 

 Here's the dough after it has been kneaded.

 I cut the dough in half and then again.  One half into 6 pieces and one half into 4.  I'm still trying to figure out which size bagel I prefer and I think from now on I will cut each half into 6 smaller pieces.

 Cover these balls of dough and let rise about 15 minutes.  Then take each onto a NON floured surface (floured surface gives no friction for rolling and makes this process very frustrating!  Trust me LOL)  roll until the dough is just wider than 2 hands, wrap the dough around your hand keeping the seam in your palm and roll to seal it together. This takes practice and as you can see mine are far from perfect!! 

 You want to cover your bagels and let them rise about 20 minutes.  During this time I set up for the next process.  A pot of boiling water, a cooling rack on top of a pan to catch drips, and well oiled pans.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

 This was the very last bagel I rolled today and by FAR the prettiest one I have done so far.

 Now is the time to boil.  Boil on each side for 1 minute. I have a big flat, strainer/spoon that facilitates easy flipping.

 Take the bagels out of the water and place on the cooling rack to drain while you put the next batch into the water.  Transfer the bagels onto the oiled pans or at this point you can dip your bagels in toppings of your choice (these are caraway, coriander, minced onion, and garlic) Be sure to go seasoned side up first.  Continue this process until all of your bagels are boiled then into the 400 degree oven for 10 minutes per side.

 Here we are half way through and giving them a flip.

 Once they are cooked, cool them on a rack and ENJOY!!!!