Bagels

Just attempted these for the very first time... So good, so EASY!

And yes... one is partially eaten, because I had to make sure it was really good enough to post the recipe for you all. ;) Don't worry... it is!!! =p


Randi’s Bagels:  Makes about 6. 

Measure 3 cups high gluten flour (or 2 ½ cups flour and ½ cup gluten -- OR just use regular flour)

1 ½ tsp salt

A little less than ¼ cup sugar

1 level tsp plus 1 heaping tsp yeast

1 ¼ cup luke warm water

Add 2 cups of the flour to a bowl (set the 3^rd heaping cup aside), add salt, sugar, and yeast to bowl.  Add your variations now *See below* Add 1 ¼ cup luke warm water.  Mix in a mixer with a bread hook – dough will be moist.  Add the 3^rd cup of flour now.  Add more flour if needed until the dough is not sticky.  It should pull of the side of the bowl.  (Note: When you add wet variations like apples or jalapeños you will have to add more flour.)  The dough should be a small ball. Spray or oil a bowl and place dough in bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a towel.  Let rise for approx 20-40 min.

Put water on to heat in a large pan – it does not need to boil, just get it heating up. Remove dough from bowl and flatten dough long wise just a little into a log like shape.  Cut dough into 6 pieces. Form into balls with the edges pinched on the bottom, flatten the balls a bit and form a hole in the middle.  Put your middle and ring fingers of both hands through the hole and pull it round and round.  Drop the bagels in a pan of hot water.  Pull the holds open again as you place each one in the water.  Leave them about 30-60 seconds on one side and turn them over for another 30-60 seconds.  Remove from pan with a slotted spoon or spatula.  Place on a paper towel to drain or let drip through the slotted spoon. Move bagels to baking pan.  Add a sprinkle of cheese on top if you are making cheesy bagels.  Bake 16 min at 445 degrees F.  You might want to turn the tray around after 8 min.  Bagels without the cheese may not need to bake the full 16 min.  

Variations for bagels –

Jalapeño Cheese Bagels:

1 handful grated Swiss cheese (or other cheese)

1 heaping tsp crushed red peppers

¼ cup heaping jalapeños, chopped

Jalapeño/Sundried tomatoes Herb Bagels:

½ of a ¼ cup heaping jalapeños, chopped

½ of a ¼ cup heaping sun dried tomatoes

½ to 1 tsp herbs such as basil, sage and or thyme

Cinnamon & Raisin:

½ cup raisins

1 ½ tsp cinnamon, or more

½ tsp nutmeg, or more

Some extra sugar

Sundried Herb:

¼ cup heaping sun dried tomatoes

½ to 1 tsp herbs such as basil, sage and or thyme

Cranberry Orange:

½ cup dried cranberries

2 Tbsp orange peel mixture (Chop ½ of an orange peel and a little sugar)

Apple & Cheddar:

1 large handful of cheddar cheese

½ an apple chopped