I've been sickly all week, so haven't felt like doing much of anything outside of the bare necessities. However, when I woke up this morning, I felt determined to try it. Heck, I even went to the gym this morning for the first time since I got sick.
So, after we had breakfast, and Jude was occupied watching a new show call Octonauts (which is super cute, by the way), I set to work.
Mixing all the ingredients together
Kneaded for 10 minutes and rolled into this ball
Divided in to 9 equal sized balls (the recipe called for 8, but I had an extra)
Rolled out into dough bagel shapes
Boiling the bagels. This was weird. I know it's a normal part of the bagel making process, but I haven't boiled dough, ever. So yeah, this was weird.
Into the oven they go...
All done and ready to be slathered with lots and lots of cream cheese.
Conclusion: They tasted good. Really good. Better than store bought bagels, even. But, mine weren't as fluffy as regular bagels are, and I'm not sure why, which was kind of a bummer. And the process of making these was tedious. I was busy with these for over an hour, and I felt like I had neglected my children a little. Making loaves, or even rolls is not near as hands-on time consuming. There's a lot of sitting and rising, but I can leave that and go play with my kids until time to pop them in the oven. With these bagels, there was the kneading, dividing, rolling, boiling, then baking. It felt like a lot, and I'm not quite sure it was worth the effort.
They also seemed to be lacking in something. They tasted a bit plain. I used 2 cups wheat flour and 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour. So, what was missing?
Will I make these again? Possibly. I'll have to tweak the recipe a little, and figure out why my bagels weren't fluffy before I try it again. Baking bread, any kind, is an art and takes lots of practice. So, I'm not giving up on you forever, you delicious slice of circular yumminess, you. Just for the time being.
Up next week: I need to be inspired photographically. So my plan is to get out this weekend and take pictures. Preferably somewhere outside, and somewhere away from my house. I'm hoping it will be sunny...and I'll be here next week to report to you to show you what I saw!
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