Pinterest Food Finds--homemade Bagels!

I have to admit-I LOVE Bagels!  Bummer is recently I had to change my diet to not include Soy, talk about DIFFICULT!  Don't believe me--pick up the package of whatever you are eating and look at the ingredients!  Seriously--it's in almost EVERYTHING!  ANYWAY, on my search for the best Bagel recipe I was a little worried it was going to be a difficult process--umm...NOPE!  Super easy and SUPER tasty!  I tried two different recipes and this is the one that is my favorite:

recipe from: baking bites

For step by step pictures please visit Baking Bites

Homemade Bagels

1 tbsp active dry yeast

1 tbsp sugar

1 3/4 cups water, warm (100-110F)

4 cups bread flour (not all purpose)

1 tbsp salt

1 egg, for egg wash

In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer) combine yeast, sugar and water. Let stand for 5 minutes, then stir in flour and salt. Mix dough thoroughly until it comes together in a large ball, pulling away from the sides of the bowl. Add an additional tablespoon of flour or water, if needed.
If kneading by hand, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until very smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. If using a stand mixer, knead dough with the dough hook until elastic, about 8 minutes on a low speed. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil and preheat the oven to 400F.

When dough has risen, turn the dough out onto a very lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces (first quarters, then thirds). Shape each piece into a tight ball as illustrated below, pinching the corners together at the bottom of the piece of dough. When all the balls are shaped, let the dough rest for 30 minutes covered with a clean dish towel.

Once dough balls have rested, the bagel shape can be formed. Using your fingers, poke a hole through the center of each dough ball. Stretch out the dough into a ring with your fingers and be sure to make the hole a little larger than you want the finished bagel to have, as it will shrink slightly while the bagel is expanding during the baking process. Let bagels rest for about 10 minutes.

Working four at a time, drop the bagels carefully into the boiling water. Boil for 2 minutes on the first side, then flip and boil for an additional minute. Using a slotted spoon or strainer, transfer bagels to a clean towel to drain for a moment, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining bagels.

Brush boiled bagels with lightly beaten egg (a pastry or bbq brush is a good tool for this) and bake for 20-24 minutes, until golden brown.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Slice and toast to serve.

Optional toppings include:
1 cup Asiago Cheese
poppy seeds
sesame seeds

For Everything Bagels:

• 2 Tablespoons poppy seeds3
• 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds3
• 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion3
• 1 Tablespoon dried garlic flakes3
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• egg wash: 1 egg white beaten with 1 Tablespoon water