Bugs Bunny Bagels Food

HOMEMADE BAGELS

Steps:

• For the dough: Pour 1/2 cup warm water into a mixing bowl. Mix in the barley malt syrup, yeast packet and sugar until dissolved, then allow the yeast to foam, 10 minutes.
• To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, add the bread flour and salt and mix to combine. When the yeast mixture is ready, pour into the flour along with an additional 1 3/4 cups warm water. Mix until a soft dough forms. Your dough should clean the bowl and begin to climb the hook. Mix for about 5 minutes more on medium speed.
• After 5 minutes of mixing, pour the dough onto a clean surface and continue kneading by hand for an additional 15 minutes, until the dough is stiff, slightly tacky and very smooth. Put the dough in a clean bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let rise until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours (see Cook's Note).
• Pre-shape the dough: Fold the dough down, deflating it, then turn out onto a clean work surface. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces, about 4 ounces each. Form each piece of dough into a tight ball, rounding it in a circular motion until smooth. Place on a parchment-lined sheet tray lightly sprayed with cooking spray and repeat with the remaining dough, 6 to a tray. Cover with a damp towel and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Shape and proof: Roll out each ball into a rope roughly 9 to 10 inches. Pick up the rope and wrap it around your fingers where they meet your palm, overlapping the ends and forming a ring of even thickness. Seal the seam by rolling on your palm, then reshape if necessary into an even ring. Place back on the parchment and repeat with the remaining dough. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then place the damp towel over the sheet tray. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only. Your grill should be at 450 degrees F.
• Finishing and baking: Allow the chill to come off of the bagels for at least 1 hour before baking. The bagels are ready to finish when the dough floats in room temperature water. Fill a bowl with room temperature water, pick up a bagel and drop it into the bowl. If it floats, the bagels are ready to proceed with the rest of the finishing and baking process. If the dough sinks, allow the dough to set out at room temperature for another 30 minutes and test again.
• For the bagels: Fill a pot halfway with water and bring to a boil on the direct heat side of the grill. Whisk in the barley malt syrup and baking soda. The water should look like brewed black tea. Drop as many bagels as will comfortably fit, about 4, into the pot and boil for 1 minute, flipping halfway through. Remove to a draining rack and continue with the remaining bagels. Pour your desired toppings onto plates and dip the tops of each bagel into the topping, pressing gently.
• Put the bagels on a cast-iron pan, place on the offset heat part of the grill, close the grill and bake until the bagels are deep golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool before serving.
• Oven method: Bake on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet at 450 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes.

HOMEMADE BAGELS

Steps:

• Make the dough: Stir together 1/2 cup warm water and 1 tablespoon malt syrup in a small bowl; sprinkle the yeast on top. Let soften a minute, then stir. Set aside until foamy or bubbly, about 5 minutes.
• Whisk the flour and salt in a large bowl; make a well in the center. Pour in the yeast mixture and 2/3 cup warm water and stir with a wooden spoon to make a shaggy dough. Not all the flour will be mixed in.
• Knead the dough in the bowl to mix in more of the flour, and work the dough into a rough ball in the bowl.
• Knead the dough: Turn out the dough onto a clean surface and begin kneading. As you knead, the dough will become tacky and stick to your fingers, then it should lose its stickiness and form a somewhat smooth ball (this should take 3 to 4 minutes). If the dough is still sticky, lightly dust with flour.
• Once the dough starts to smooth out, continue kneading until it's very satiny and pillowy feeling (this should take 5 to 10 minutes). Rip off a small piece of dough and gently stretch the 4 corners. If it can stretch very thin without tearing, it's ready. If it tears, knead another 2 minutes and test again.
• Transfer the dough to a clean bowl lightly misted with cooking spray, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour. You don't want the dough to over-proof or form bubbles on the surface. Keep an eye on it; the dough can proof quickly in a warm spot.
• Divide the dough: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and mist with cooking spray. Turn out the dough onto a clean surface and press to flatten and deflate the dough, making sure to press out any large air bubbles. Divide into 6 pieces, 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 ounces each.
• Pull the corners of each piece together into the center of the dough, turn over so the seam is on the bottom and roll the dough against the counter into a tight ball with a smooth surface. Do not use any flour or the dough will not stick to itself properly.
• Form the bagels: Form the bagels one at a time: First stick your thumb through the middle of a dough ball, then insert your index finger and gently start to stretch the hole.
• Roll the bagel in a circle around your index fingers to stretch the hole until 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide. If the hole pulls back together, let rest 1 to 2 minutes, then reshape.
• Transfer the bagel to the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough balls. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. The bagels will puff slightly.
• Cook the bagels: About 30 minutes before boiling, preheat the oven to 450˚ F and remove the bagels from the refrigerator. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a wide pot. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons malt syrup. Gently add 2 or 3 bagels, rounded-side down, and boil for 2 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Remove the bagels with a slotted spoon and put back on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining bagels. It's OK if they deflate a bit as they cool but they should mostly keep their shape. (If they do deflate and wrinkle, they'll still be good - just a little flat.)
• Line a separate baking sheet with parchment paper and dust with cornmeal. Brush the tops and sides of the bagels with the egg white and sprinkle with toppings. Place rounded-side up on the cornmeal-dusted baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.
• Bake on the middle oven rack until the bagels are golden brown and crisp, rotating the pan halfway through, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool at least 15 minutes. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.