Montreal-Style Bagels

Ingredients

• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp honey, plus 1/3 cup for the boiling water
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 10 cups water, for boiling
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds (or poppy seeds), for coating

Before you cook

• Combine the lukewarm water, yeast, and 2 tbsp honey in a bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
• Whisk the egg and vegetable oil into the yeast mixture.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Spread the sesame seeds on a plate.

Steps

1. Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl.
2. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes.
5. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
6. Roll each piece into a rope about 8 inches long.
7. Wrap each rope around your hand to form a ring, overlapping the ends, and roll the seam gently on the counter to seal.
8. Let the shaped bagels rest on the parchment-lined sheets for 20 minutes.
9. Preheat the oven to 500 F.
10. Bring the 10 cups water and the 1/3 cup honey to a boil in a large pot.
11. Boil the bagels in batches of 2-3 for 45 seconds per side.
12. Lift each bagel out with a slotted spoon, letting the excess water drip off.
13. Press one side of each boiled bagel into the sesame seeds.
14. Arrange the bagels seed-side up on the baking sheets.
15. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until deep golden brown.
16. Cool the bagels on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.