Back to the Basics: Rooted in Tradition
We have determined that the three main focuses in our lives would be Faith, Family and Traditions. This week, we are going to bring you back to the basics by teaching you how to make your own bagels. A super simple recipe that anyone can master, that allows you to feed your family healthy food where you know exactly what ingredients are in it. Nothing is processed, and there are no extra additives. Just five simple ingredients: flour, sugar, yeast, water and salt.
We have determined that the three main focuses in our lives would be Faith, Family and Traditions. This week, we are going to bring you back to the basics by teaching you how to make your own bagels. A super simple recipe that anyone can master, that allows you to feed your family healthy food where you know exactly what ingredients are in it. Nothing is processed, and there are no extra additives. Just five simple ingredients: flour, sugar, yeast, water and salt.
Homemade Bagels:
4 cups of flour (spoon into your measuring cup, then flatten)
2 tsp of salt
1 TBSP of white sugar
2 3/4 tsp of active/quick rise yeast
1 1/2 C of warm water (between 100-110 degree F)
2 quarts of water (bagel bath mixture)
1/4 C of honey (bagel bath mixture)
Steps:
Combine the yeast with the warm water and let sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until you notice some foaming/bubbles on the surface.
While your yeast is activating, in your stand mixer add in the flour, sugar and salt. Mix briefly to incorprate the ingredients.
Add in the yeast mixture and begin to mix on medium speed with the bread hook attachment.
Continue mixing (kneading) the bread in the mixer for 6-7 minutes until the dough begins coming off the hook.
Grease a bowl with oil or non-stick spray and place the dough into the bowl. Grab a kitchen towel and rinse it under hot water and place over top of the dough. Put the bowl in a warm spot and let rest for 60-90 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Once the dough has double, punch out any air pockets, then separate the dough into 8 equal pieces.
Roll each piece into a ball, then press an opening in the middle with your finger. Place each bagel on a tray lined with parchment paper. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest while you prepare the next step.
Prepare another baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
Grab a wide pot and fill it with 2 quarts of water and 1/4 cup of honey. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Set your oven to 425 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Once boiling, place the bagels into the pot, ensuring they have room to move around. Cook each side for 1 minute.
Place the finished bagels on the other baking sheet. Paint on the egg wash mixtures on the sides and the top.
*At this step, you may season the bagels with any seasoning your prefer*
Bake in the oven for around 20 minutes, and rotate your pan halfway through.
Allow the bagels to rest for 20 minutes after they come out of the oven.
Store in an airtight container for a couple days, or in the fridge for up to one week.
Taking the First Step…
Join us as we share how we were blessed with the land that is allowing us to begin our homesteading journey.
Every book begins on the first page, just like every journey begins with the first step. Our journey together has led us to be witnesses to how incredible God’s love is. When we knew we wanted to look for our forever home, we knew we needed to pray and ask for God’s guidance during this new phase. A letter was sent to the previous owners of our home, and we prayed that if it was in God’s will, we would be able to call this land our home. 365 days later, our prayer was answered, when we received a phone call and our forever home went from a dream, to a reality.
Trevor and I have always joked that all of the special and meaningful moments in our lives have been met with a snowfall. Our first night hanging out; it snowed. Our wedding day; it snowed. The day we brought our puppy, Bogey, home; it snowed. And to top it all off, the day we closed on our house, in the beginning of November; it snowed. To us, this snowfall was our sign that God has allowed us to be present on this land, where we are blessed to call it home.
We didn’t know where to start, but that cold, snowy November day, we looked around and were overcome with warmth knowing that we could start our future here. God has blessed us more than ever imagined with a bountiful land that will provide for our family. We have found ourselves soaking in the beauty of the land: a creek for an extra water supply, the field to grow a garden and the woods that provides us privacy, tranquility and endless opportunities.
We are so excited to take you on this journey with us as we talk about all things homesteading, gardening, woodworking, canning, preserving, and how our faith in Jesus has instilled the confidence in us that we can start this journey.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go”