Quarantine (Everything) Bagels

So, like all of you, I have been trying to think of ways to occupy my time during this pandemic. I'm not one to binge watch shows for hours on end so I've decided to do more baking. I got the idea to make bagels from my roommate who also thought honing a skill in the kitchen would be a good use of time during this quarantine. These bagels were not only incredibly delicious but super simple to make!

If you're like me and cooking for one, no need to stuff all eight of the bagels down your throat before they go bad, they freeze well!

I followed this recipe when making my bagels.

I found this video very helpful to follow along with while working my way through the above recipe.

Steps:

1) Proof yeast. In a separate bowl, mix together flour and salt.

2) Mix flour and salt in a bowl. Combine yeast and sugar mixture with flour. Knead dough for 10 minutes. (It's ok if dough is not as smooth and elastic as it is in the video. The bagels still come out great.) Let dough rise for an hour.

3) Form the shape of the bagel by rolling into a ball and using a floured finger to poke a hole in the middle.

4) Boil bagel dough for 1-2 minutes on each side.

5) Brush tops of bagels with egg and sprinkle desired toppings.

6) Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

Voilà!

I like eating my bagels with cream cheese and a whole lotta smoked salmon! However, if the world's best bagel topping is not your thing, these are so scrumptious that you can just eat them plain jane style.