Bread Machine Bagels

When I was in college one of my favorite treats was a toasted Asiago cheese bagel w/veggie cream cheese from Einstein's Bros. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately for my wallet!) we don't have an Einstein's -- or any bagel place for that matter -- around here. So when I came across a recipe for Asiago bagels, I knew I just had to try it. And for my first attempt at homemade bagels they turned out so yummy! My head is already spinning with different toppings I can use. I will never buy bagels again! :)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 3 cups bread flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3 quarts boiling water
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 1 egg white

Directions:

1. Place water, salt, sugar, flour and yeast in the bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough setting.
2. When cycle is complete, let dough rest on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough into 9 equal pieces, and roll each piece into a small ball. Flatten balls. Poke a hole in the middle of each with the dowel end of a wooden spoon. Twirl the dough on the dowel to enlarge the hole, and to even out the dough around the hole. Cover bagels with a clean cloth, and let rest for 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a large pot bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar. Sprinkle an ungreased baking sheet with cornmeal. Carefully transfer bagels to boiling water. Boil for 1 minute, turning half way through. Drain briefly on clean towel. Arrange boiled bagels on baking sheet. Glaze tops with egg white, and sprinkle with your choice of toppings.
4. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until well browned.

Variations:

• For Asiago cheese bagels, add 1/2 cup shredded Asiago during the last portion of the dough cycle and sprinkle with extra cheese after the egg wash.
• For cinnamon raisin bagels, add 1/2 cup raisins and 2 tablespoons cinnamon during the last portion of the dough cycle.
• For blueberry bagels, fold in 1/2 cup blueberries after the dough cycle is finished.
  
• Topping ideas: parmesan cheese, poppy seeds, cinnamon/sugar, garlic salt & onion powder, sesame seeds, etc.
  

Yeast Rolls For Dummies

So I have been on the hunt for a Yeast Rolls "for dummies" recipe and I found this one at allrecipes.com
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sweet-Dinner-Rolls/Detail.aspx?washelp=1&rid=294900#294900

Sweet Dinner Rolls

• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup butter, softened

Place water, milk, egg, 1/3 cup butter, sugar, salt, flour and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough/Knead and First Rise Cycle; press Start.

When cycle finishes, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 12 inch circle, spread 1/4 cup softened butter over entire round. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Roll wedges starting at wide end; roll gently but tightly. Place point side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Cover with clean kitchen towel and put in a warm place, let rise 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden.
Makes 16 rolls

I don't have a bread machine so I followed the directions that K PRAPER posted in her comments. Her directions were very helpful and these rolls are very easy to make! Those they aren't as sweet as I thought they would be. Don't get me wrong, they are very good but they taste more like white bread than a yeast roll.

Monkey Bread

3 tubes buttermilk biscuits
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup nuts (I used pecans)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 stick butter

Cut biscuits in half. In large bowl with cover, mix suagr and cinnamon. Put biscuit halves in bowl; cover; shake till coated.
Put in 3 layers in greased bundt pan. Melt butter. Add remaining cinnamon and sugar, vanilla and nuts. Mix throughly. Pour over biscuits.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool a few minutes; then invert.
Individual pieces of bread can be pulled off adn eaten with fingers.