Montreal-Style Bagels: A Delicious Dive into Montreal's Culinary Scene
Montreal bagels are renowned for their unique chewiness and slightly sweet taste. This recipe will guide you through creating these iconic treats at home.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity | Used In Step(s) |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 500g | 1, 2 |
| Bread flour | 200g | 1, 2 |
| Water | 350ml | 1 |
| Active dry yeast | 14g (2 1/4 tsp) | 1 |
| Honey | 2 tbsp | 1 |
| Malt syrup | 2 tbsp | 1 |
| Salt | 1 1/2 tsp | 1 |
| Sugar | 1 tbsp | 1 |
| Sesame seeds | 1/4 cup | 3 |
| Poppy seeds | 1/4 cup | 3 |
| Coarse sea salt | 1 tbsp | 3 |
| Boiling water | Enough for poaching | 4 |
Step 1: Making the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, honey, and malt syrup. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. Then, add the all-purpose flour, bread flour, salt, and sugar. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time. For more information on kneading dough, you can consult this helpful guide from King Arthur Baking.
Step 2: First Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This is a crucial step in developing the characteristic chewy texture of Montreal bagels. For a deeper understanding of dough rising, check out this article from Glossy Kitchen.
Step 3: Shaping and Topping
Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball. Then, poke a hole in the center of each ball and gently stretch the hole to about 2 inches in diameter. Place the shaped bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and coarse sea salt.
Step 4: Poaching and Baking
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully drop 4-6 bagels into the boiling water and poach for 1 minute per side. This step is essential for the Montreal bagel's signature chewy texture and shiny crust. Remove the bagels from the water and place them back on the baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
If you skipped any steps or didn't quite follow the instructions properly, well, let's just say your bagels might taste more like sadness than a delicious Montreal treat!
