When Self-care is bagel shaped.

I love to bake….

Notes from Kat 12/28/2021

It’s the “in-between” time. That magical time when my kiddos are home from school and i’m (mostly) caught up on work stuff. It’s interesting to see what calls to me when there aren’t external demands on each moment. Yesterday, (and today) it was baking. I decided that bagels were a “must" for this week.

As one does, I searched the internet to see what was available. So. Many. Recipes*. I was able to narrow it down by what I have on hand and threw my self in with abandon (the only way I know how!).

After creating the yeast slurry, mixing, kneading, letting it rise for 2 hours, punching down, kneading (and kneading and kneading) the dough some more, shaping it, putting it to rise again in the fridge overnight, pulling it out this morning, letting it come to room temperature, seeing if it would float in room temp. water (this part was kinda fun), watching it sink in the water about 5 times until finally it was warm enough and ready to be boiled, boiling each side, baking at 450F, letting cool all the way (THE HARDEST PART!), there were 1 dozen delectable bagels. A few hours later, there are 6.

Sometimes self-care is caring for others, nurturing others, feeding others. This was one of those times. Now I need to rest my hands from all that kneading (and kneading). In spite of that: Five stars. Highly recommend.

*Bagel recipe is from “How to Make Bagels” from the NY Times Cooking and, though not pictured, coffee was from Higher Grounds Trading Co. in a NASA mug.