The Life of Mrs. Miles

Once again its time for Friday Show and Tell - won't you come and join in the fun?

The more the merrier!

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Today I'm going to share another baking adventure. I'm sure some of you may want to tell me to "shut up already" with all the yummies I've been featuring. (ya, like YOU, KimB, I know I'm torturing you and I did WARN you) But I can't help it, honestly. Its all the fault of Zoe and Jeff at the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. I've got a serious addiction! LOL! I think their blog needs a warning on it.

soft and pliable like 'grown up' play doh!

To celebrate the one year anniversary of their Artisan Bread cookbook, Zoe and Jeff have posted a recipe for bagels on the blog and are also giving away two copies as a celebration. So git on over there and leave your 'bread' experience on the blog for your chance to be drawn. Just click HERE to be transported!

I bought the cookbook a few weeks ago - this recipe on their blog is a bit different. I saw the recipe and it beckoned to me. Bagels are something we detour for whenever we go to the city. We usually buy ours at Safeway because they are so wonderful and toothsome - but it adds up! It usually costs somewhere in the range of 8 dollars for a dozen - and we did not begrudge this, for its a superior quality.

These cost pennies, compared.

However...

boiling the bagel

I didn't imagine making them myself. But because of the amazingly easy method for the dough for these things - I had some ready to go - I decided to give it a try!

I used a smaller pot for the water, and adjusted the sugar etc because we had limited fresh water on hand - I bring it in. Besides, I only wanted to do a 'test batch' of a half a dozen.

It was challenging to flip the BIG bagel in the little pot! Flupp!

a new smell for my nose to appreicate!

I used the Peasant Bread dough from the cookbook, with flax seeds too. Then, I decided to experiment with some toppings too. I had some black seasame seeds, some pumpkin seeds, some flax seeds and some oats. So, I did a bit of 'mix and match'

we have success!

Well, Mr. Miles was not home at the time - he was completely unaware. But get this - when he arrived home he gravitated IMMEDIATELY to them, his nose wiggling like Peter Rabbit in the cabbage patch! He did NOT notice that I'd changed the entire kitchen counters around, including the microwave, toaster oven etc. In fact he did not notice that until the following morning.

better than a bakery

I'd never had a bagel hot out of the oven before - and its almost impossible to discribe in words. Crrrunchy on the outside, an almost nutty overtone. Soft and steamy and moist inside. Danger, danger! (Kim, turn your eyes away, girl!)

happiness is an oven-fresh hot bagel

Topped with cream cheese and some of my own homemade rosehip jam from this summer? I think I live in a bakery now.

I think this is the start of me making these a regular part of our diet.

Have YOU made bagels before? Its so easy the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day way...