Bagel Nosh

Boiled and ready to be baked 

The Finished Product

The recent Jewish holidays left me craving lots of good nosh, and in particular, bagels. Convinced that the only way to get them in London is either en masse in horrible roll format in supermarkets, or to take a half day and schlepp to the outskirts of North London I figured the best option would be to take the challenge to bake some myself.  As a virgin bagel maker I scampered the internet for quite a while until I found a recipe I liked.  Considering the great number of positive reviews (minus some of the donkeys that didn't follow it correctly) I figured I had as good a chance of success as any.  And come on now - look at these babies! I know every good Jewish mother thinks her kids are the best looking and well, I kinda feel that same way about these little guys.

As I opted for a slightly longer boil time they were nice, firm and crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.  I ate three within 12 hours - which is probably more than I've consumed collectively in the past 6 months.  Luckily they have frozen really well.  I'm planning to have some friends round for brunch so I can make another batch and serve them fresh and warm from the oven. You know those one-off food items that are just so absolutely delicious that you scarf them up so fast you almost don't taste them (I realise this is not a good habit but NEEDS MUST)  - well straight out of the oven and with just a bit of butter, they were just that.

So without further ado... http://www.sophisticatedgourmet.com/2009/10/new-york-style-bagel-recipe/  (although is it a bit cheeky to say I prefer the more bronzed bake of mine over hers)?  

Foodie Pen Pal - Take 1

Christmukah in July!

Treats from the US and Bristol

Perusing the web a few months back I came across Foodie Pen Pals via The Lean Green Bean. Lucky for me there is a small (but growing) group over in Europe that's started up as well - and I jumped right on in.

The basic premise is that you randomly get paired up with someone (either a fellow food blogger or just someone who really enjoys getting his/her grub on) and send through a surprise foodie package spending less than £10 (not including shipping).  It's monthly and you can be as active or not as you'd like.

I was paired with Sue in Germany over at http://sueintraining.wordpress.com/ and sent through some of my favourite treats (jam, spices, candy) from Ottolenghi's Upper Street store. Unfortunately the prized (and pricey!) passionfruit jam didn't make it in one piece. Dang UK to Germany shipping. Apparently in transit the glass jam jar broke into a thousand shades of inedible. Hopefully she'll still enjoy the homemade raspberry lollipop and za'atar spices.

On the flip side, I received the care package of goodies above from Karen in Bristol.  After a brief introductory email (giving the basics which mentioned my Yankee heritage) she very sweetly decided on a hybrid package.  Thinking I might be homesick (I was, but was also packing for a flight home to the USA 2 days later) she sent through some "all-american treats" as well as some local Bristol goodies such as clotted cream fudge, local cider, and marmalade.  I've not yet tried the latter two but the fudge went down a treat.

On the Stars and Stripes front I got two candy-bars (the Reese's NutRageous has already been demolished) and a Cookies and Cream Hershey's bar (possibly to be used in some chocolate brownies this weekend).  Also in the package? Kool-aid and Fluff.  Now both of these products are something I've not consumed for over thirty years*, which is certainly ironic since I'm not older than 29 (roll of eyes).  I vaguely remember them making their way into my Montessori smurf lunch box though. Man, I wish I still had that thing...but I digress.

My challenge if I choose to accept is to work these classic lunchbox treats into some sort of baked good.  Well, let's be honest - the fluff will become a baked good and the kool-aid in some sort of cocktail to be consumed while making the baked good.

Ironically I've promised some "American themed treats" at a work meeting next week.  I see the possibility of some fluff rice-krispy like snacks in their future.

*I have quite possibly consumed Kool-Aid more recently than the age of 4.  I have a vague memory of an Alpha Delt "Purple Passion" party my freshman year at University. I'm pretty sure this cocktail (if you can call it that as it was served out of plastic bag lined garbage cans) consisted of Everclear and Purple Kool-Aid. I choose to forget.