Montreal Bagels

Ingredients

• 415 grams warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons dry yeast
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 700 grams bread flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• water for a shallow pot
• 2 tablespoons honey
• sesame seeds, poppy seeds or everything bagel mix

Instructions

Follow each step in order. The directions below are written so a beginner can understand what to do, what to look for, and when to move on to the next step.

1. Step 1.Stir the warm water, yeast and sugar together and allow the yeast mixture to become foamy before adding it to flour.
2. Step 2.Combine bread flour and salt, add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then knead until the dough is smooth and supple.
3. Step 3.Cover the dough and let it proof until doubled, then divide it into twelve equal pieces for evenly sized bagels.
4. Step 4.Shape each piece into a rope, join and roll the ends together, then rest the formed bagels on a floured surface.
5. Step 5.Preheat the oven to 450°F and bring a shallow pot of water with honey to a gentle simmer.
6. Step 6.Boil each bagel in the honey water for about 45 seconds per side, then lift it out with a slotted spoon.
7. Step 7.Press the wet bagels into the chosen seed topping and arrange them on a lined baking sheet without crowding.
8. Step 8.Bake for about 16 minutes until golden, then cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.