What’s a bagel?
Bagel, doughnut-shaped yeast-leavened roll that is characterized by a crisp, shiny crust and a dense interior. Long regarded as a Jewish specialty item, the bagel is commonly eaten as a breakfast food or snack, often with toppings such as cream cheese and lox (smoked salmon).
They are made from the basic bread ingredients of flour, yeast, salt, and sweetening. High-gluten flour gives the roll its spongy, chewy texture. As traditionally made, the dough is shaped by hand into a ring, boiled for a short time in water to seal the dough to ensure a compact texture, and then baked.
How to warm a bagel?
Bagels taste best when they're warm, as their insides get hard and tough once they've cooled off.
If you're planning to eat a bagel that's not fresh, toasting can improve its taste and provide you with both a crunchy crust and a soft interior.
You can microwave a bagel, but it cause the bread to dry out and have a rubbery texture. They can be frozen for up to six months and last for 7-14 days in the refrigerator.
