KNEAD Tip onto a lightly flour dusted surface and knead for 10 minutes (or use the dough hook attachment on your mixer).
Step 3
RISE
Lightly grease the mixing bowl with some oil. Put the dough back in, cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and leave to rise until doubled in size – about 2 hours depending on how warm your kitchen is.
Step 4
SHAPE
Knock back the dough by gently kneading just 5 times to get the air out. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment and grease the parchment. Cut the dough into 9 even pieces (use a weighing scales if you like). Roll each piece into a ball and sit on the sheets – they’ll need room between them for growing.
Step 5
PROVE
Cover the dough again with a clean tea towel and leave to prove until doubled in size again. Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan, gas mark 7) and fill a large saucepan with water.
Step 6
POACH Bring the pan to the boil, then lower the heat to gently simmering and stir in the bicarbonate of soda, honey and 1 tsp salt (careful – it will bubble up!). Use a floured finger to push a hole through the centre of each dough ball and pick it up. Stretch the hole by gently swirling the bagel around on your finger a little, then drop into the pan. Do 2 bagels at a time, poaching for 2 minutes and turning over halfway. Use a slotted spoon to return the bagels to the baking trays. Poach all the bagels, keeping the water at a gentle simmer.
Ingredients for this step
1 tbspBicarbonate of soda
1 1/2 tspSalt
Step 7
BAKE Brush the bagels with beaten egg or oil and sprinkle with some seeds. Bake for 15 minutes until brown and crisp. Cool, then enjoy toasted.
Step 8
Why not try using Allinson Country Grain flour instead seeds in your cupboard for snacking? Knead an extra handful into the dough before dividing and shaping