This isn't a fast & easy recipe; unfortunately, it is quite a process. However everyone knows quality takes time! Especially in baking. If you know and love a dense, chewy, flavorful bagel just like the you can get in a wonderful Jewish bagel shop, This process will be worth it to you!
I have been making bagels for a while according to a Montreal bagel recipe and everyone swoons about them, but I really do like this one better...
Enjoy!
Thanks all for your kind comments, I've added a few updates/details to the recipe...Reading your results made me hungry for these after not making them for a while!
04Attach dough hook. Then add all ingredients listed for dough. Flour can be added gradually as mixer is going.
05Knead with dough hook for approximately 10 minutes or until dough looks smooth and is not too sticky. Dough should be quite stiff (add more flour if needed).
06Turn out on counter and knead by hand for a few minutes. (More if your mixer couldn't handle the kneading for very long). Make sure dough does not stick to fingers to get to proper consistency.
07Divide dough with a knife into 12 equal pieces about 4.5 oz. each. make into "balls". Cover to rest with plastic wrap for 20 minutes.
08Shape each ball into a bagel by pushing your thumb(s) through the middle.
09then using your two index fingers in the hole, make fast circular motions, stretching the hole out a bit. Don't worry if they are not perfect.
10Place bagels on sheet pans or cookie sheets that have been sprayed with cooking spray oil. Leave an inch or so on all sides.
11Let rise under plastic wrap for 20 minutes then place in refrigerator.
12Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight.
13Pull pans from fridge, get a large pot (4 quarts) of water on the boil and preheat the oven to 500 deg. F. move racks to the top of the oven.
14Add 1 T. baking soda to water (this increases the color depth and flavor of the bagel while baking).
15When water is boiling, pull 2-3 bagels at a time gently and place them upside down in the water.
16Boil for 30 seconds then flip over with a large slotted spoon or similar and repeat for other side. (if perchance your bagels have had time to warm up from the fridge the boiling time decreases--if your bagels are coming out of the boiling water looking too flat, decrease the boiling time on each side but always go a minimum of 15 seconds per side).
17Remove each bagel with spoon and slide off on to a large clean cotton cloth (flour sack type material not terry cloth) for draining.
18Repeat with all other bagels.
19Place parchment paper in your sheet pans or cookie sheets.
20Spread corn meal evenly and lightly on parchment paper.
21Place moist, warm bagels gently on corn meal. You can place them touching one another. Sometimes we like our bagels plain with no toppings, if you do, skip the next couple steps --.
22Make an egg wash with 1 egg mixed with approx 1/2 cup of water and when well-mixed, brush across tops of bagels. If you don't like a slightly eggy taste, you could brush with just egg whites mixed with a bit of water. This will help hold topping on.
23Sprinkle with desired toppings (I like toasted sesame seeds and poppy seeds the best, but this could include a dizzying number of different toppings-whatever you like).
24Turn oven down to 450 deg F. as you place pan(s) in oven.
25Bake for 5-7 minutes then turn pan around and switch pans on racks as necessary.
26Bake for another 5-10 minutes turning as necessary and repeat this until all bagels are evenly deep golden brown. Total cooking time will be 20-25 minutes until all are evenly deep golden.
27Remove from oven, let cool on pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for at least 15 minutes (ok, 5 minutes!) before devouring.