Learn How to Make Bagels with Great Recipes

When I opened a restaurant years ago I did not know how to make bagels or even much about them. This was not something that was in my cuisine in my young life.

In Florida I quickly discovered that bagels were as common to some people as French toast to many of us or even hot cross buns to the British people. Most people prefer to have this special recipe on an Easter buffet than some of the great Easter cakes.The great thing about making these at home is that you can diversify the recipe by adding fruits, herbs and spices which add great flavor.

Learn how to make bagels for Jewish Passover. Passover recipes are prepared by the Jewish people the same season as Christians prepare Easter Recipes. Passover is the best known of the Jewish holidays because it ties in with the history of the Christian celebration of the Last Super.

The spring festival of Passover is very important to the Jewish people. It is a seven day holiday, the first and last days are legal holy days with abstention from work, special prayer services and holiday meals.

Great care is given to housecleaning leading up to Passover. All leavening must be removed from the home. Every detail is given to cleaning all cabinets and every crack in the home prior to preparing Passover recipes.

If you know how to make bagels, you see a big difference in the following bagel recipe. The Passover bagel is more like what we call cream puff shells due to the absence of any leavening... The center is hollow and can be used for sandwiches or filled.

PASSOVER BAGEL RECIPE

• 1 Cup water


• 1 Tablespoon sugar


• ½ Teaspoon salt


• 2 Heaping tablespoons shortening


• 1 Cup matzo meal


• 3 Eggs

Preheat oven to 400F degrees.

Combine the water, sugar, salt and shortening in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Stir in 1 egg at a time and mix well.

Drop dough by tablespoon onto a well greased cookie baking sheet. (Makes 8)

Bake for ½ hour.

Reduce oven temperature to 350F degrees and continue baking for another ½ hour.

Remove from oven and pierce each with the point of a sharp knife to allow steam to escape.

When cool store in a plastic bag.

Years ago when I had a restaurant, customers asked me if I knew how to make bagels; the New York bagel recipe or better Brooklyn bagels. I was ordering all the bagels at that time from a local commercial bakery thinking these were good. I was not experienced at that time with the various tastes of bagels. My guests were not pleased with these bagels which I was purchasing already made so I decided to make my own. First I had to do a little research to see exactly what a New York bagel recipe was. I found that the New York bagel recipe or so called Brooklyn bagels were boiled before they were baked. This does make a difference and I was so glad I learned how to make bagels!

NEW YORK BAGEL RECIPE

Add 1 tablespoon sugar to 1 gallon water and bring to a boil; reduce heat. Drop bagels with a large spoon in hot water 4 at a time for 7 minutes turning once; drain. Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

OPTIONAL RECIPES

Add to flour mixture for herb bagels: 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon crushed tarragon, 1 teaspoon dried onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried garlic powder

BROOKLYN BAGELS

Drop in a few bagels at a time and simmer about 7 minutes;

Remove and drain on towel.

Place bagels on a lightly greased baking sheet; brush with mixture of egg white and 1 teaspoon water.

Bake at preheated oven 375F degrees for 30 minutes or until done.

WHOLE WHEAT BAGEL RECIPE

Learn how to make bagels the “whole grain way” with whole wheat flour.

• 8 Cups whole wheat flour


• 1 Tablespoon sea salt


• 2 Packages dry yeast


• 2 Cups lukewarm potato water (To make boil diced potatoes in water until tender; drain)


• 1/3 Cup honey


• ¼ Cup vegetable oil


• 4 Lightly beaten eggs


• 2 Tablespoons raw sugar


• 2 Quarts boiling water

Sift flour and salt together in a large bowl.

Add yeast to 1/3 of potato water and set 5 minutes; stir into flour mixture.

Add honey and oil to remaining potato water; stir into flour mixture.

Add eggs and beat to form dough; turn onto lightly floured surface and

knead 10 minutes.

Dough should be quite firm; add more flour if necessary.

Place dough into clean buttered bowl, cover and let rise until double in bulk (1 ½ to 2 hours).

Preheat oven to 450F degrees.

Knead dough again until smooth and elastic; divide dough evenly into 25 to 30 pieces.

Roll pieces into six inch long ropes and ¾ inch wide; pinch ends together to form donut shapes.

Bring water to a boil and drop in the raw sugar.

Drop bagels in one at a time; when they surface turn them over and boil 1 minute more.

Place bagels on an oiled baking sheet and bake 10 to 15 minutes or until brown and crisp.

When you learn how to make bagels use your imagination for different bagel toppings. You can toast bagels or eat them fresh. Of course good butter is always great on bagels. About anything you would eat on a piece of toasted bread will be delicious on a bagel. Many people love cream cheese and lox (or smoked salmon) on bagels. Jams, jelly, apple butter, honey and molasses are also delicious. Try butter with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. See what you can come up with and enjoy learning how to make bagels.

More Great Easter Recipes

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