4 Ingredient Whole Wheat Bagels

Bread baking took the side line this weekend.

Bagels took their place!

I’ve never baked bagels before, but now that I feel confident baking breads and find it pretty easy I wanted to challenge myself yet again.

These little guys had some elbow grease put in them.  10 minutes worth of it!  The kneading was probably the most challenging part only because it was so long.  Seriously, 10 minutes of kneading is a long time!

The effort was worth it and now I can’t wait to make more bagels.  Different varieties and flavors are already swirling in my head… cinnamon raisin will be one of the next.  So will onion.  One sweet and one savory.

What’s your favorite kind of bagel?

Whole Wheat NY Style Bagel

Ingredients

• 1 package yeast
• 16 ounces whole wheat flour (about 3 3/4 cups)
• 1.8 ounces vital wheat gluten (about 3 1/2 tablespoons)
• 1 tsp sea salt

Directions

1. In a small bowl put in 1/2 cup warm water and pour in the yeast.  Don’t stir, just let it sit for five minutes, then stir well.
2. In a large bowl mix the flour, wheat gluten and salt.  Make a well and add the water yeast mixture.  Add 1 cup warm water and mix until the flour is combined.
3. Put on your counter and add water/flour as necessary in order to keep kneading the dough for 10 minutes so it doesn’t stick to the counter – I added just a smidgen of flour as I was kneading.
4. Coat a bowl with olive oil spray.  Add the dough, cover and allow to rise for 1 hour.
5. Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
6. Punch down your dough.  Divide into 12 pieces and pierce your finger through the center to create bagels.
7. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil spray.  Boil each side for 1 minute, then place on the baking sheet.  Sprinkle on any of your toppings once on the sheet.  I made half poppyseed and half sesame seed.
8. Bake for 20 minutes.  Allow bagels to cool before storing in a ziploc bag for up to 3 days or freeze individually for a month.

I just had to have a bagel with dinner.  I couldn’t wait to try one!

Salmon burger with roasted red pepper/walnut sauce and tender butter lettuce.

My burger was overflowing the bagel!  It was a bit messy but oh so tasty.

Paired with some sliced cucumber and grapefruit.  Simple sides.  Simple dinner.  Perfectly delicious.