Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Jocey's Dad's Montreal Bagels (aka The Best Bagels In The World!)


Mmmmm bagels....
Who doesn't love a good bagel first thing in the morning? I know I do. For years now, I've been buying bagels from the grocery store or if I'm treating myself, stopping by Tim Horton's or one of the other great bagel shops in Toronto.

Well no more! I will never look at another store bought bagel the same again.
Yes, this recipe is THAT good!

It all started a few months ago when I was spending time on the internet, looking up different recipes to try.
I came across a bagel recipe, but after reading through it, I wasn't too sure that I'd be able to pull it off. I thought about it every time I put a bagel in the toaster. 
I was over at my best friend Jocey's one night and mentioned it to her. Now as I've mentioned before, Jocey is like my very own personal Martha Stewart. Her eyes lit up and she told me about her Dad's bagel recipe.
So a week or so later, we decided to give it a shot.

1 1/2 cups of warm water
5 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp malt drink powder (regular Ovaltine)
1 package dry active yeast (8 g)
1 egg, beaten
4 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup honey

Combine warm water, sugar, canola oil, yeast, beaten egg and malt until yeast disolves.


Stir in salt and 1 cup flour


gently add enough flour to make soft dough (3 cups)
kneed dough for 10-12 mins stirring in extra flour as needed


When dough is firm and smooth, cover and let sit for 10 mins


divide dough into 12 equal parts, roll each into 10 inch rope


curve into bagel (use water if needed)


Let rise for 30 mins.


preheat the oven to 425'
(Now here's the strange part)
fill large pot with 6 quarts of water and honey and bring to boil
boil 4 bagels at a time for 90 seconds (45 on each side)


roll in topping 
(we made Everything bagels)


poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried onion, kosher salt
 (the kosher salt it bigger than regular salt and makes all the difference in taste)




bake for 16 mins (flip after 8)



The most difficult part of this recipe is waiting the 16 mins while they're in the oven.
They may not look like much, but they are the best bagels I have ever tasted in my entire life!
Since then I have made this recipe 4 more times and each time is just as amazing as the first!

I even tried to make Millennium Falcon bagels with my Star Wars sandwich cutters.


They turned out kinda funny looking in the end


Variations that I have tried so far:
Everything
Cinnamon Raisin
Bacon, Onion and Cheese


Oh yes, they were that good!


I highly suggest that you give this recipe a try.
You won't regret it

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Death Star Cookie Jar


The exclusive Death Star cookie jar is built to hold an Imperial army of your favorite cookies, and can even double as a festive ice cooler or candy bowl at your next Star Wars soiree. Made of sculpted ceramic with great detail and features a flat base to keep your Death Star from rolling off the counter. Oh, and no exposed thermal exhaust ports for hungry young rebels. A very cool exclusive available only at StarWarsShop!


How awesome is this Death Star Cookie Jar?
I can't decide what I'd want to keep in here more, my SW action figures, my SW cookie cutters or actual SW cookies. Maybe I just need to own 3 of them.