Many of you will be reading Valentine’s Day inspired posts this week. These bagels are my contribution. Bagels? Yes, bagels. Back in 2006, I worked at a bakery in downtown Denver. I also met Ryan. The bakery and his apartment were only three blocks from each other, so I would leave after my morning shift and come knock on his front door. Those Denver mornings that year were cold, but I remember most clearly the sound of his feet as he ran down the stairs. Still wearing my black apron, I also held a freshly baked bagel. We sat and ate together. We fell in love.
And now, fast forward almost eight years. We have a daughter together. She eats the blueberry bagels we now make in our kitchen. If you haven’t made bagels before, I’m here to offer you a perfect Valentine’s Day activity. For those of you with lovers…for those of you with friends…for those of you with children…it works. Because what smells better than blueberry bagels rising in your oven? And what tastes better than a toasted bagel with melted cream cheese? This is love in gluten-form, friends. Lucy, Ryan, and I will enjoy a batch of fresh bagels this Friday…and you should too!
Blueberry Bagels
1 TBSP honey
1 tsp instant yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup + 2 TBSP lukewarm water
3 1/2 unbleached bread flour
1/2 cup dried blueberries (rinsed in water)
1 TBSP melted butter (optional)
Cane sugar (optional)
Poaching liquid:
2 quarts water
1 TBSP baking soda
1 TBSP honey
1 tsp kosher salt
In a small bowl, stir the honey, the yeast and the salt into the lukewarm water. Place the flour into the bowl of a standing mixer (or any large bowl) and pour in the yeast mixture. Using a dough hook, or a large wooden spoon, mix on low speed for 3 minutes. The dough should form a stiff, course ball and the flour should be fully hydrated.
Resume mixing on medium speed for 3-5 minutes, or knead dough on a lightly floured surface so that the gluten can develop. The dough should have a smooth, satiny feel. If needed add more flour or water to achieve the desired consistency. Add the rinsed blueberries during the last two minutes of kneading.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and allow to rise at room temperature, for 60-90 minutes. After initial rise, divide the dough into 6 (4.5 ounce) pieces. Form the pieces into rolls.
Line 1 large sheet pan with baking parchment and mist lightly with spray oil. Poke a hole in a ball of dough and gently rotate your thumb around the inside to widen it to approximately 2 1/2 inches in diameter for a large bagel, two inches for a regular one or just slightly more than one inch for a miniature. The dough should be as evenly stretched as possible.
Place each of the shaped pieces two inches apart on the pans. Mist the bagels lightly with the spray oil and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator and allow to rest over night.
In the morning, remove your bagels from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours. After an hour, check to see if your bagels are ready for boiling. Fill a small bowl with cool or room-temperature water. The bagels are ready to be boiled when they float within 10 seconds of being dropped into the water. If they don’t float, let them sit at room temperature for 30 more minutes.
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Bring a large, wide pot of water to a boil, and add the baking soda and honey. Have a slotted spoon or skimmer nearby.
Gently drop the bagels into the water, boiling only a few at a time. After one minute, flip them over and boil for another minute. Remove the boiled bagels to a wire rack.
When all the bagels have been boiled, place the pans on the middle shelves in the oven. Bake for approximately five minutes, then rotate the pans. Continue baking for about 5 minutes, or until the bagels turn light golden brown.
Remove the pans from the oven and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle the bagels with cane sugar and remove to a wire rack. Allow the bagels to cool for 15 minutes before serving.
I don’t think I’ve ever made bagels. But I am a notorious bagel snob, so I guess my fear is they won’t live up to my standards!
I love your beautiful new site. 🙂 It’s so light and clean. The blueberry bagels sound absolutely scrumptious. 🙂
I’ve always wanted to make my own bagels! These look perfect!
I have never made bagels, something I really want to do. I think I’ve been a bit intimidated by it, but you always inspire me to go for it!!! I love the story of how you met…what a legacy of love you are leaving for Lucy!!! Sending lots of love, stop on by and enter my giveaway!!
aww i love ‘love stories’ that involves food 🙂 i have never made bagels before but seeing this post, I want to ASAP.
omgosh that is soooo sweet, hearing about the very early days in yours and Ryan’s relationship 🙂 and cute lil Lucy gnawing on these delish bagels!
You are something! when you just started a new job, and told us you were struggling with all the activities in your life, you come up with what? BAGELS. One of the trickiest bread things to bake.
I am in complete awe!
A homemade bagel sounds like heaven to me right now. Lucy looks like she’s loving it too! And can I just say she is the most precious looking baby EVER!!
Thanks for sharing your lovely story! It makes the bagels look even more wonderful.
What a sweet story!!! I love blueberry bagels, so delicious!
I love your love story. I also love making homemade bagels. You may have inspired me to make some for lunch today.
I love the new blog design, Monet! It’s just beautiful and showcases your food and wonderful stories better than ever. I can’t believe Lucy is already enjoying bagels. Didn’t you just have her a minute ago? 🙂 Cheers to a bagel (and love) filled Valentine’s day!
Montet,
Such a sweet love story. It’s so nice to see how bagels have been part of your love. And to top it off, to see Lucy eating one of your homemade bagels is pure bliss.
Bakery-fresh bagels early morning – yes, I can see why you guys fell in love. 🙂 These are beautiful!
I’ve only made homemade bagels once and I just did plain with some different toppings. Now I really want to make blueberry ones! I used to always get a blueberry bagel when I was a kid at our local bagel shop : ) These look perfect. Happy Monday friend!
Homemade bagels are the greatest! I would definitely choose these over a fancy dinner out for v-day anytime. 🙂
Your little story on how you met Ryan is so sweet! And little Lucy are SO adorable in those pictures (well, she always is).
And the bagels look so delicious. Gosh, what a lovely post!
Yum, they look delicious – and your best taste tester seems to agree!
There’s not much more than I love than a great blueberry bagel for breakfast or for a snack or heck, when I’m laying in bed staring at the ceiling. These look great!
What a nice story – blueberry bagels and love. I would definitely want one of these, too 🙂
What an incredibly sweet story about you and your husband – I love knowing that your love was forged over bagels! These look to die for. I’m seriously inspired. Love in gluten-form, indeed. <3
I always want to make bagels but never get around. This recipe looks perfect so I’m definitely going to give it a try! Thank you!! 🙂
My goodness, they just look perfect…and so is Lucy eating one! 🙂 ela
That’s a really sweet story and the bagels look lovely!
This just may be the next thing I make with my 9 year old cooking student. What fun! (And happy Valentine’s Day! Lovely love story!)
This post just melts my heart, starting with the story of how you and Ryan met and ending with those beautiful Lucy pictures (and a delicious recipe!). What a tribute to love! Love and a fresh blueberry bagel 🙂
Have a gorgeous week, Monet!
Great job to Ryan on the new look! I love that story about how you two met…equal to my love for blueberry bagels. They have to be the best bagel (in my opinion). Be still my heart, Lucy with a bagel. So cute!
Awwh what a sweet story! You guys are way too cute :”) These bagels look delicious and they turned out beautifully! Nothing better than warm bread, I love this! xx
She looks adorable chomping away at that bagel. If you can believe it, the one thing I haven’t made at home is bagel. I’m thinking I shall have to remedy that soon. That is sweet how you met Ryan. Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!
-Gina-
That’s such a sweet story. I was wondering how this non-red, non-heart shaped post could turn Valentines day-esque. But you are now making me want to make bagels! These look fantastic. And Lucy approved too 😉
Monet, lovely looking bagels – my kids would agree with cute Lucy about Bagels (homemade) being irrestible! And what a beautiful story about you and Ryan – so very sweet!
Hugs and kisses to Lucy and all the very best!
I love bagels, your home made ones look incredible!
Great story of your early days with Ryan! And great bagels. I almost never make my own bagels — definitely need to. Thanks for this.
I love the shot of Lucy biting a bagel! So adorable! Very cute story (perfect for V-day <3) of you and Ryan and now three of you sharing the homemade bagels. It's my dream to make bagels from scratch. I look forward to eating my homemade bagels… 🙂
Your site looks lovely!!! I adore all the images of Lucy, she really is truly beautiful!! Bagels to celebrate Valentine’s Day sound perfect to me:-) Definitely pinned to make someday soon!! Hugs, Terra
Your daughter looks so cute holding the bagel. I just made some blueberry biscuits this morning. Blueberry Bagels sound even better!
I have never made bagels or had a blueberry bagel. This looks amazing, Monet. Your daughter looks adorable and what a lucky girl to enjoy all of mommy’s homemade food.
Monet, this is the sweetest story.