You should know something before you roll your eyes at the thought of making homemade bagels…
I have never made bread before. EVER.
And I can admit why, I’m ok with saying it, I was scared. I was very scared of yeast. I have to activate it? And let it rise? Whaa? It just sounded too complicated, until I read this post. That picture of her homemade everything bagels (my hands down favorite baked good) looked beyond irresistible & the recipe actually didn’t sound terrifying at all. I was ready to try. Man, oh man am I ever glad I did. I know I make a lot of dramatic statements about how much I love recipes but I really mean it when I say, this was the best tasting dish I HAVE EVER MADE.
The bagels, albeit wonky, were amazing. Hot & toasted on the outside, warm & chewy in the middle . Combine that with a juicy skirt steak & my goodness, it felt so good that I had to ask for forgiveness afterwards.
Here’s what I did. In the afternoon while the kids were playing outside I got to work on the dough & used this recipe. While it was rising I put a skirt steak into a ziploc baggie with a couple of cloves of chopped garlic, a few tablespoons of soy sauce, a squeeze of fresh lime & good sprinkle of pepper, garlic powder & a dash of red pepper flakes. I then let that sit in the fridge for the hour or so that the dough was rising.
I took my steak out of the fridge so it could warm up to room temperature & then I cut up a couple of beautiful sweet onions & let them cook over medium low heat in a skillet with a couple tablespoons of butter. Next I boiled the bagels (did you know bagels are boiled first & then baked?? I had no idea. Apparently that’s what gives them that perfectly chewy center) & got them into the oven. Every once in awhile I gave the onions a stir…When the bagels were in their last few minutes I threw the steak into a hot skillet with a good drizzle of olive oil. I seared it for about 3-4 minutes on each side & then let it rest on a cutting board. At this point the bagels were done. I sliced them open & on one half placed a thin slice of havarti cheese (provolone would work well too) & then on the other half a slather of light mayo. Next I sliced up my meat & built the sandwiches with the steak on top of the cheese & then the wonderfully sweet sauteed onions on top of the that. Close it up with the top of the bagel & eat that baby up immediately!
I served mine with an avocado salad (cut up ripe avocado that’s drizzled with extra virgin olive oil & a sprinkle of coarse sea salt) but let’s be honest. Nobody made it to the avocado. We filled our bellies with the warm goodness of the steak sandwich & then rolled ourselves onto the livingroom couch because we were too uncomfortably full yet extremely happy to be moved anywhere else.
1) I’m from CA, I will ALWAYS make room for avocado hahaha 2) This looks and sounds delicious. I had no idea you had to boil bagels either. I feel like such a slacker with cooking when I see all the cool things you come up with. Such variety and effort, so home made and thought out. Does your husband notice and say something when a meal takes more effort? Sometimes it feels like putting a lot of time into a meal is just a detriment to myself–husband is just as fine with a warmed up frozen meal or a complicated meal, not much incentive to go all out. Of course I can ooh and ahh at my own creativity but it’s not the same as getting a reaction from someone else.
You know what, to be completely honest, he doesn’t. With this meal he was pretty excited and made a big fuss about how good it tasted but he really doesn’t seem to care if I order takeout either. I think it’s because he doesn’t cook. If you don’t do something, then while you can be happy with the results you really don’t get just how much work it is. The planning alone is what kills me! Grocery shopping, figuring out what to do with the kids while you cook & then making the meal itself, it’s an effort! I definitely cook for me more than anyone else, I like having a good meal & once I get in the kitchen I love having a glass of wine & taking the time to make something yummy. (:
Note to self: buy more wine, it makes life better 😀
ZOMG!!!!! I, too, have been intimidated by the whole yeast thing. I own a bread machine and I do not know how to use it….
But this looks TOTALLY do-able. Love, love, love!!!!!
That looks delish! I thought I was one of the few who was scared of yeast lol. Will have to try this in the very near future
If you are comfortable with using the yeast you must try this recipe. They are awesome. I make them every year for Christmas. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/overnight-caramel-pecan-rolls/detail.aspx Your bagels look scrumptious! I have made them before, but the recipe I had seemed like alot more work. I am going to make them in the morning for my gang as a surprise 🙂
Ooo, I’m going to try that recipe! Thanks Lisa!
I LOVE homemade bagels… and I love that I can make them whatever flavor I want- whole wheat onion bagels? You got it. I don’t make them often enough though. And the sandwiches you made with yours sound absolutely amazing.
Ok, those look so sinful!! Yum!!
I may have drooled on my iPad while reading this…sounds fantastic!!
LOLOLOLOL!
I had dreams all night long about this post… so naturally I got up, went to the store to buy yeast and bread flour, and made bagels by 10am. They are every bit as good as you said! Even my husband was impressed, and he’s from New York. And you know how NY folks are about their bagels. I am so happy to have made these!
That’s hilarious! And very comforting to know I’m not the only one who dreams about food (:
Love, love, love this! Saw you posted a pic of the bagels on Instagram, and I’m finally getting over here to check them out. Am going to have to try this!