September 14, 2011 - 8:16am
Basic Bagels
Two questions: what happens if bagels are made with bread flour and not high gluten flour? What should the water temperature be and why?
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Two questions: what happens if bagels are made with bread flour and not high gluten flour? What should the water temperature be and why?
The high G flour gives the bagel the chewy texture, otherwise it would be soft. Water temp in dough, or poach? Poach water to a boil then simmer.
Jim
I was referring to the water temp in the dough while mixing... as far as the gluten, would the bagels with softer flour end up flattening?
The water temp should be adjusted so the final dough temp, after mixing, is between 70-75°F. If you need more info search for "desired dough temperature".
Softer flour and it won't be a bagel, more like a soft roll.
Jim
I believe I've read where a longer boil would yield a chewier bagel.
good luck,
Ray
I have been making the same recipe for bagels from Schoolcraft culinary school for 7 or 8 years, tweaking it to use different flours and different ingredients. I'm not a professional, but a home baker, and this is what I do, and it makes the worlds best bagels. Ask my friends and neighbors! I use KA bread flour and add 1T extra gluten for every two cups of flour. If you are using regular flour, you will want to add 1T per cup of flour. Since I measure my flour, I figure it that way. The more gluten, the chewier the bagel. There is a balance between too chewy and too bread-like, so you can adjust to your own tastes. Bagels are bagels because of the chew factor....the extra gluten. As for the temp of the water I add, it's room temp to slightly warm, as usual, I rarely if ever take it's temp. Horror of horrors! I know it on feel by now, and it all works and doesn't seem to change a thing. I'm using a sourdough starter, and the bagels, after formed, proof in the fridge overnight. They are then boiled and baked in the morning, just when you would want bagels! They freeze very well, though are not so good after two days left out lying around.