Homemade Bagels

Serves: Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

1. 4 1/2 cups of All Purpose Flour
2. 1 1/4 cups Warm Water
3. 2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4. 1 Tbsp. Salt
5. 1 Tbsp. Yeast
6. Bagel Toppings; you can use sesame seeds, poppy seeds, anything you want. 

Procedures:

• Begin by mixing the yeast and half a cup of warm water in a bowl. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour and salt together. Add in the olive oil and the mixed yeast. If any yeast is still left in the small bowl, add a little bit more of the warm water, scrap from the sides, mix and pour into the mixing bowl. Mix together by hand. If still too dry, mix in a little bit of the warm water at a time until you have a moist dough.
• Once you have formed the dough in the bowl, remove from the bowl and continue to knead the dough on a cutting board or counter top for about ten minutes or until the dough is smooth and firm.
• In a large bowl, drizzle about a tablespoon of olive oil into the bowl and then place the dough into the bowl. Cover with a lid, saran wrap or with a clean kitchen towel. Set aside and let rise for one hour.
• After letting the dough rise for one hour, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Preheat the oven to 400°F and position the oven rack to the middle position.
• Meanwhile, remove the dough from the bowl and place on your cutting board or counter top. Cut the dough in half. Cut each half into three equal pieces for a total of six pieces.
• Roll each piece of dough until about one inch thick. Loop the piece of dough around and lightly pinch the ends together to create a circle. Repeat these steps until all six pieces are formed.
• Once the pot of water is boiling, add three of the bagels into the pot and boil for one minute. Only add as many of the bagels that fit at the surface of the pot. Once you add the bagels, they float at the top and you don't want them to overcrowd. Flip them over and boil for another minute.
• Remove the bagels from the pot and place them on a clean kitchen towel. Add the remaining three bagels into the pot of water and boil for one minute on each side. Once removed from the pot of water, let sit for about two minutes and then pat on your favorite toppings. I like everything bagel seasoning and sesame seeds. I also left two bagels just plain.
• Place the bagels onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
• Remove the bagels from the oven and set aside on a cooling rack. Serve with your favorite bagel spreads and enjoy!

By Chef Oscar