Bagels!

I have been making our bread for a couple of months now, and really enjoying it. Luke really likes bagels but we don't get them often because at the grocery store they're expensive and not that good for you. So, I decided to try making my own! I started with this recipe, but substituted 2 c of white whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose. I didn't want to tweak the recipe too much until I had tried it once, so that was the only ingredient change I made.

I proofed the yeast, water and sugar for 10 min. or so, then added the salt, flour and a little garlic powder (Luke requested garlic bagels) and kneaded the dough. It was a nice dough to work with, not too sticky. After letting the dough rest for 15 minutes I divided it into 12 sections: six of these I rolled into balls and poked holes in the middle, the other 6 I rolled into ropes and pinched together to form rounds. I put all 12 on greased baking sheets and covered with a dish towel. Later I read this tutorial on allrecipes, and I'll follow their recommendations next time.


Then came the fun part! While the bagels were rising I put a big pot of water on to boil and added 1 tablespoon sugar. After they had risen I took the bagels, 3 at a time, and gently plopped them in the water.

Clara supervised,

and got to watch one batch boiling. She was fascinated! I think I have a little baker on my hands. :)

They boiled for 2 1/2 minutes on each side, and then got transferred back to the baking sheet with a slotted spatula. Once each batch was boiled I sprinkled it with a little garlic powder.


When they were all done boiling I put them in the oven at 375. They baked for just over 20 minutes, I'm not sure of the exact time. They sure made the kitchen smell good! When they came out, they were a beautiful golden brown - not quite as yellow as the picture looks.



Delicious!!! Nice and chewy with a slight crust, yummy for eating and perfect when toasted. I'm hooked! Next time I'll make a few more changes. I want to substitute honey for the white sugar and use more (perhaps all?) whole wheat flour. I also read a tip to use 1 tablespoon molasses in the boiling water instead of the tablespoon of sugar, so I think I'll try that, too. I'm thinking of all sorts of yummy flavor combinations - like walnut/flax/oat or rosemary/parmesan. Mmmm...

Clara's Favorite Things

Clara is 4 months old now and has been growing and changing so much! At her 4-month checkup she weighed 16 lbs and was 25 inches long, in the 90th and 75th percentiles for weight and height for her age, respectively. She is a very strong, sweet, and interactive girl. Here are few of her new favorite things:

Reading books with Mommy. Her current favorite is a cloth Mother Goose book that Mamaliz made her for Christmas.

Trying to sit up on her own (but she still flops).

Wearing funny things on her head (courtesy of Daddy).

Playing with the balls Gramma made her for Christmas.

Reaching for and grabbing all sorts of things, including her own feet on the changing table!

Although we are still struggling some with her colic, we are choosing to focus more on the sheer fun of getting to know this incredible little person and enjoying the character that she is. She brings us so much joy; we love being her parents and watching her grow. I hope you enjoyed these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them, although I doubt it! :)