Hello my Foodie Friends. Who doesn’t love a good bagel? Once you find that place that makes the perfect bagel, it is difficult to avoid making a bagel a regular event especially when thinking of the crusty outside and chewy interior along with the amazing flavors that are now available. Bagels are an extremely versatile and delicious item that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are so many incredible ways to eat a bagel from making it with simple cream cheese, to putting chicken parmesan in a bagel for dinner to having dessert with a toasted bagel and topping it with chocolate and fluff. Want s’more? Here are some fun facts about bagels:
Bagel history dates back to 1783, according to popular belief. They were created to honor King John III Sobieski of Poland, after he protected Austria’s people from an attack by Turkish invaders. In the late 1800s, with an influx of Jewish immigrants, the bagel found its way over to America. Initially, they were only popular amongst Eastern European Jews who settled in New York. Around 1910, the Bagel Bakers Union was formed; this led to apprenticeships with Bagel Bakers, and thus the art spread. The Jewish bakers in Europe kept the flame going over the years by making the traditional bagel and in the late eighties, the American style bagels started to appear in Europe in a variety of flavors with a softer texture that was more suitable for sandwich making. So the round bagels have done a full circle originating in Europe and returning as an American product.
In the 1950s, the comedy, Bagels and Yox played on Broadway with Bagels given to the audience in the intermission. As a result, the magazines, Time and Family Circle, began to feature recipes for Bagels and they have remained popular ever since.
Bagels are the only bread that is boiled before baked. Once the bagel dough is shaped into a circle, they are dipped in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. After that, they are drained and baked for about 10 minutes. That little hole in the center isn’t just for looks. Rumor has it the age old “roll with the hole” design is rather efficient. The bagel hole comes in handy to thread multiple bagels onto a dowel, making transport easily, especially for street vendors selling the doughy delights. Believe it or not, despite the myriad bagel flavors available from blueberry to the “everything” bagel, the most popular choice is plain, followed closely by sesame.
When you are attempting to slice a bagel with a knife, you understand the difficulty, as well as the potential safety issues. You need a safe tool to easily slice bagels, Choose the NSF Certified Commercial Bagel Biter – the Original Bagel Guillotine. It is designed for heavy-duty usage made with high quality bases and guards and solid handles to prevent breakage. Never worry about cutting yourself. The guillotine blade safely slices the bagel behind the protective finger guards. It is dishwasher safe in the top rack only. This award- winning design includes non-stick coated blade that allows for easy slicing and easy cleaning. It is engineered for safety and performance. All you have to do is insert the bagel, push down, and remove the perfectly sliced bagel.
Is you mouth watering yet? There are so many delicious dishes to make with bagels. Stop by Compliments to the Chef at 33 Railroad Place to purchase the Original Bagel Guillotine to assist you with slicing your favorite bagel. Let the one you love know that they are your “everything.” Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”
Take Care,
John & Paula
