Bagels by Cassidy

Cassidy had us over to her new house and showed us all how to make bagels. It was awesome. Who knew that boiling the raised bread dough before you put it in the oven to bake is the secret to getting that bagel texture? Cinnamon and Raisin Bagels
1/2 cup raisins, pre-soaked*
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp sugar

1 cup lukewarm water
3 cups white flour
3 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp salt
3 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

Directions:
* Soak the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Toss with combined cinnamon and sugar, then place in bread machine with rest of ingredients.
1. Put ingredients in bread machine adn press start. Remove the dough from machine after the first knead, approximately 20-30 min. If you don't have a machine, combine ingredients as if you are making bread.
2. Palce dough on a floured surface. Divide into 6-8 parts. Form balls. Gently press thumb through center of ball and slowly stretch into bagel shape. Let rise 10 minutes.
3. While bagels rise, bring three quarts of water adn one tbsp. of sugar to a rapid boil.
4. Using a slotted spoon, drop 2-3 bagels into the boiling water. Boil on each side for 1/2 minute. Remove and cool on rack for 1 minute. Brush with egg white.
5. Bake at 400 degrees F on a baking sheet with cornmeal or parchment paper, approximately 15 minutes.

Just changing a few things iwth this basic recipe can make all different kinds of bagels. Take out teh raisins and cinnamon, add some honey and substitute 1 cup wheat flour and you have honey whole wheat bagels. The combinations you can create are endless. If you see a bagel you like in the store, you can create it at home.

Suggestions: honey whole wheat, blueberry, cinnamon sugar, chocolate chip, onion, orange cranberry, apple cinnamon, spinach and cheese, etc.

Bagel Hints: Make a bunch of bagels at once and freeze for later.

Quick Bagel Meals:
- Open faced tuna melts: cut bagel in half, throw on a thin piece of cheese to cover teh hole, layer tuna, then another piece of cheeseand broil.
- Pizza: cut bagel in half, add sauce, pepporoni, then cheese, broil in oven
- Egg and Cheese Sandwich: Make eggs as you would an omelette, but fold into square. Layer on bagel and top with cheese. Cover with other half of bagel.

Stawberry Cream Cheese: Mix 8 oz cream cheese with 1 tbsp jam, add more to taste.

Cinnamon Honey Butter: Combine the following with a mixer:
1/2 c. butter, 1/2 c. honey, 1 tsp cinnamon, splash of vanilla

Thanks Cassidy!

Tani was the winner of the roundest bagel contest. She showed off her mad skills and was rewarded accordingly.