Bread is life. Bread is Bae (do we still say that?). However, it is also something with which we all have a love-hate relationship. On the one hand, it’s frickin’ delicious and yet on the other, I find myself screaming “my skinny jeans don’t fit anymore, you bastard!” as I reach for yet another slice of buttery marmite toast. Today, let’s celebrate our inner basic-bitch and embrace the beauty that lies in that fat, puffy, chewy deliciousness that is a bagel.
Bagels are the tits, but even Pam’s bagels are gonna set you back a fair bit for four. Making your own is not only way cheaper, but making bread is also really therapeutic. So put that essay off for a bit longer, get covered in flour and relax!
Why not pair these bagels with last issue’s poached eggs and really treat yo’self?
Ingredients
- 4 cups of strong flour
- 2 teaspoons of dry active yeast
- 1 1/2 cups of water, warm
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 egg, beaten or 4 tablespoons of dairy-free milk to glaze
(original recipe comes from my food blog www.leftovercarrots.com)
Instructions
- Pour the sugar and yeast into a bowl of warm water and stir. Leave to sit until the yeast becomes active and frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the salt and flour together and make a well in the middle, then pour the yeast mixture in.
- Mix with a knife until it comes together, pour out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes until elastic and smooth.
- Once the dough has generously doubled in size (after about an hour), roll it out into a thick sausage on a floured surface.
- Cut the dough into even portions (9, 12 or 24) and roll each slice into a sausage.
- Bring some water to boil and preheat the oven to 180°C
- Dip either end of the sausage in water and make a complete circle by pushing the ends into each other to close the seam.
- Using a slotted spoon (or whatever you’ve got —you know the drill), place two bagels in the pot at a time and boil for 45 seconds. Flip them over and repeat.
- Place on a paper towel, glaze and garnish with sesame seeds or whatever you fancy.
Cook in the oven for about 25-30 minutes.