BASIC BAGEL (FOR THE BREAD MACHINE)

Steps:

• Remove dough from the machine after the first knead- approximately 20- 30 minutes.
• Place dough on floured surface.
• Divide into 8 parts.
• Form balls, gently press thumb through center of ball and slowly stretch into bagel shape.
• While bagels rise, bring 3 quarts water and 1 TBS sugar to a rapid boil in a large sauce pan.
• Drop test dough (see first success hint).
• Using slotted spoon, drop 2-3 bagels into rapidly boiling water.
• Boil on each side for 1 1/2 minutes.
• Remove and cool on rack 1 minute, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, if desired.
• Bake at 400°F on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal, until golden brown- approximately 15 minutes.
• Bagel Success Hints: When forming bagels, set aside two 1/4" balls of dough.
• When bagels have doubled in size, drop the test dough into boiling water.
• Dough should pop to the top right away.
• When this happens, it is time to boil the bagels.
• A quick spray of non-stick vegetable coating on the top of the bagel may be substituted for the egg wash.
• To make bagel sticks, cut bagel before rising and lay out in a straight line.
• Roll sticks in a combination of sesame and poppy seeds with a pinch of garlic powder.
• Let sticks rise, boil, and bake as described in Basic Bagel process steps above.
• To make bagel chips, slice leftover bagels horizontally into thin slices.
• Brush with butter or margarine on one side.
• Lay (butter side up) on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 325°F for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.