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Queen of the Bread Machine
Mar. 21st, 2010 10:02 pmI've never made bagels before, with a bread machine or not, so when my dad suggested it as a weekend project I have to admit I approached the idea with some trepidation. I've read enough cookbooks to know bagels are not for the unprepared, what with the malt and the boiling and the strange shapes and all that jazz. But I had a free afternoon and a jar of barley malt extract that wasn't going to use itself up, so bagels it was. And in the end I only encountered two major problems with bagel-making. My technique could use some refinement - I don't think I pinched the dough right when I was shaping them into bagel shapes, because several of them came apart while they were in the water, leading to some very lop-sided looking bagels. Definitely have to work on that for next time.
Also, the dough tried to kill our bread machine.
I am not even kidding here. I put everything into the bread pan, turned the machine on, and went back to my room to work on my computer. A few minutes later, I hear this tremendous crash. Dad and I and Roommate Guy go running into the kitchen, and there are bread machine pieces all over the floor, like the damn thing tried to make a failed bid for freedom. We picked everything up, reattached the lid, popped the casing back together, and no harm seemed to done, but it was still leagues more dramatic than I expect my baking to be. The best we can figure, because the dough is stiffer than the usual, it made the machine shake, and it vibrated itself off the counter. Next time I make bagels I am putting the machine on the floor, so it can roam free.
Despite the minor mishaps, the bagels turned out pretty good, and actually tasted like bagels, which is all I was hoping for. I may have to try this again. Especially since we've still got that jar of malt extract.
Also, the dough tried to kill our bread machine.
I am not even kidding here. I put everything into the bread pan, turned the machine on, and went back to my room to work on my computer. A few minutes later, I hear this tremendous crash. Dad and I and Roommate Guy go running into the kitchen, and there are bread machine pieces all over the floor, like the damn thing tried to make a failed bid for freedom. We picked everything up, reattached the lid, popped the casing back together, and no harm seemed to done, but it was still leagues more dramatic than I expect my baking to be. The best we can figure, because the dough is stiffer than the usual, it made the machine shake, and it vibrated itself off the counter. Next time I make bagels I am putting the machine on the floor, so it can roam free.
Despite the minor mishaps, the bagels turned out pretty good, and actually tasted like bagels, which is all I was hoping for. I may have to try this again. Especially since we've still got that jar of malt extract.