Bagels. They just remind me of New York City. In my mind I’m sure people eat them during their morning commute with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. If this assumption is incorrect, I don’t want to know! Jalapeno bagels remind me of Vancouver, in particular, but also always remind me that I WANT THEM RIGHT NOW.
I haven’t seen bagels be that popular where I live … there is a perfunctory offering in supermarkets of either plain or cinnamon raisin, and they can be hard to find. Why? I’ve no idea. Bagels are amazing. Bagels are crunchy and chewy and delicious with cream cheese and should be delivered to my door in a variety of flavours on a regular basis.
The humble jalapeno bagel entered my stratosphere when we went to visit Veggie Dad’s brother in Vancouver. The jalapeno bagel entered my mouth one morning and I did not want it to leave. I envied those that could easily purchase the gigantic bag that from the nearest Safeway and pop them into a toaster without a care in the world, ready for breakfast any time.
When we stopped in New York on our whirlwind North American adventure, I ate bagels. I ate a lot of bagels.
I could have eaten them at the top of the Empire State Building.
I could have eaten them in Central Park.
I could have eaten them in Grand Central Station (I didn’t I ate a giant pretzel)
I could have eaten them in Times Square.
Me and Teddy Roosevelt could have eaten them at the American Museum of Natural History.
I could have eaten them while looking at the Statue of Liberty.
I could have eaten them at the New York Public Library. Would probably get thrown out though…
I could have eaten them on Broadway.
I could have eaten them on the Staten Island Ferry, looking at the New York City skyline.
When we got home, the first thing I did was make a batch of jalapeno bagels. And they go a little something like this. (And are way easier than I ever imagined!)
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cup lukewarm water
- 1/2 teaspoon dried yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 5 cups flour
- 1/3 cup sliced pickled jalapenos
Directions:
- Mix water, yeast, salt and sugar. Add flour and jalapenos and mix into a ball.
- Knead for 10 minutes. You may need to add more flour if necessary, until dough is stiff. I use pickled jalapenos and they can be a bit damp, and need more flour. You could also press out the liquid with paper towels.
- Let dough rest 10 minutes, then cut into 12 pieces.
- Roll each into a sausage shape. Overlap the two ends and make sure they stick, turning them into little rings.
- Cover with a damp towel and let rise 1 – 1.5 hours.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Place bagels in boiling water until they float to the top – about 20 seconds.
- Remove, draining all water and place on a greased tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Now I can eat jalapeno bagels in my own kitchen. And back yard. And dining room. And bedroom. And anywhere I damn well please! They also freeze well, but you might want to cut them in half first.
mmmm I love bagels! I've been craving the everything bagel: onion, garlic, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sunflower seeds. yummy goodness w/ egg, cheese, spinach & hummus or cream cheese! *mouth watering now*
Thanks Stace, I would prefer you cooked them for me though!!! Mim xxx
Waah! I want that too! Immediately, if not sooner.
Next time you're here Mim x
I love Bagels. We can get some decent ones in parts of Melbourne, in scrummy bakeries. Non near me, but they are worth the drive every now and then.
Your recipe sounds yum too, I might give it a go.
Oh for a bakery like that here! I wish they were as easily available as in the States, I ate them every day. Recipe is so easy, you should definitely try.
I absolutely love bagels – they aren't as good in England as I'm sure they are in the States but lush none the less. I love them with cholesterol laden butter and Marmite (which is basically what Vegemite dreams of being when it grows up)
Ooh, them's fighting words! I love all sorts of mites, but my heart belongs to Vegemite 🙂 Also am butter fan.
What?! Australia doesn't do bagels? Slay me.
I've made them a couple of times. The first time they came out great, the second time not so much. I remember throwing ice in the oven to generate steam! I'd make them more often but you can buy the most spectacular bagels, even here in Kansas, in just about every neighborhood. Yum!
It's a travesty, Kristin. A TRAVESTY. It's such a simple need, yet I'm so deprived. Lucky they're so easy to make 🙂
SO very cool, I am making these this weekend for sure!
Bagels are definitely one part of America I miss too, thank god we have jalapenos at least!
I just discovered your site today and love it! As a vegetarian who really doesn't like tofu and who loves bagels, I'm already a BIG fan!!
Ooh Serena we must be best friends at once!
Camilla, there is so many things I miss about America, but even recreating them is so hard given we can't get some ingredients here!
Oh, I love your bagel tour of NYC xx
Oh, I ate REAL bagels (not the fake imitations) in America too. I love them. Are they really that easy to make from scratch? If so, you will change my life for the better forever. xo
Seriously simple! Mix, knead, rise. Boil 20 seconds, bake. Delicious bagels right in your own goshdarn kitchen 🙂
Don't even joke about eating in a library… that's a crime that should be punishable by death.
Ima gonna try these. Cream cheese, bacon and chives for me 🙂
Don't even joke about eating in a library… that's a crime that should be punishable by death.
Ima gonna try these. Cream cheese, bacon and chives for me 🙂
Ooh Serena we must be best friends at once!
Camilla, there is so many things I miss about America, but even recreating them is so hard given we can't get some ingredients here!
I just discovered your site today and love it! As a vegetarian who really doesn't like tofu and who loves bagels, I'm already a BIG fan!!