Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Egg Bagels...

Growing up in Southern California, I grew up eating bagels. I love a good bagel. (Bagels are more than round bread, although you might not know that if you've just settled for grocery store bagels.) Bagels are unique enough that there were shops that only sold bagels (and the stuff to go with bagels) and they were always busy. Here in Eastern Washington, I haven't had any really good bagels and have had to settle for Costco bagels when the urge gets overwhelming. Not an entirely satisfactory arrangement, but it worked ... right up until the time that I realized that I could MAKE my own bagels. Immediately, I was beset by doubts. Could I make bagels? Could I make bagels that were actually good? Could I make bagels my family would enjoy? Oh, heck, sure I could.

So, that is what I did! I saw this recipe from Brown-Eyed Baker, wherein she modifies a Peter Reinhart recipe (from Bread Baker's Apprentice - which I now own because of my awesome sister!) and produces egg bagels. (Look, she did the real deal. She actually contacted Peter Reinhart and asked him if he had a recipe for Egg Bagels and he was kind enough to write her back with instructions for modifying his standard bagel recipe...how can you not love that?)

Anyway, she posted step-by-step directions and I decided to give it a try and...it worked! (Look at that bagel! Isn't it gorgeous?) I made Egg Bagels from scratch and I'm so stoked! Were they perfect? No, not yet. (Superman and Valiant swore they were perfect; Buttercup noted the same consistency/texture issue I did.) They were good enough, however, that I can hardly wait to try again. (Remember, I follow the adage that you can't say you can't do something until you've tried to do it fourteen times. If you fail at making bagels 14 times, then and only then, you may say that you can't make bagels.) Egg Bagels, Plain Bagels, oooh, Cinnamon Raisin Bagels...the possibilities are endless!

So, who's coming over for breakfast?

8 comments:

Michelle {Brown Eyed Baker} said...

I'm so glad that you liked these bagels - yours looks outstanding! Now that you have the confidence, enjoy trying all the different varieties (cinnamon raisin are a personal favorite!).

momstheword said...

I never had a bagel until I was in my mid 20's. My friend was appalled and introducted me to bagels with cream cheese and I've been a convert ever since!

More Than Words said...

Erin...you totally rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really!!!!

Unknown said...

Ummm ME! I'll be there around 10AM. I really enjoy marmalade on my egg bagels just and FYI.

Keep your Skype open. wink wink

Tootsie said...

seriously...is there anything you can't cook? this is fab!

LollyChops said...

I can be there tomorrow morning at 6... is that too early???????

Tricia said...

Erin, that is fantabulous!! Bagels with cream cheese and jam is a favorite afternoon teatime accompaniment in our household. And it's Tootsie's all-time favorite snack (remember our parrot?). Blueberry and Everything bagels would be our vote for ones you should attempt soon. That picture is so inspiring, I may attempt it myself!

Clark said...

They were awesome. The only thing I would change would be to make them smaller.