Authentic Bagels

Directions

1. 1
   {"0":"In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the milk, butter, sugar and salt. Stir until the butter has melted.","2":"Remove the pan from the heat and let cool to tepid.","4":"In a large bowl add the yeast and tepid milk mixture and whisk to combine. Let sit 5 minutes for the yeast to proof (foam).","6":"In a small bowl, whisk the egg white until frothy. Stir the egg white into the yeast mixture.","8":"Stir the flour into the yeast mixture to form a dough.","9":"Remove the dough to a floured surface and knead about 5 minutes. WARNING: The dough will be rather stiff, very unlike a typical bread-like dough.","11":"Place the dough back into the bowl, cover and let rise 1 hour (it's actually resting as it won't rise that much).","13":"Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.","15":"Remove the dough from the bowl and cut off a piece big enough to form into a 7-inch rope. Bring the ends of the dough rope around to meet each other and pinch the ends to secure them. Yes, they'll look like an anorexic donut!","17":"Let the bagels rest 5 minutes.","19":"Place, in batches, the bagels into the boiling water for about 4 minutes per side.","21":"Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.","23":"Place the boiled bagels onto the prepared baking sheet.","25":"In a small bowl whisk the egg yolk and the cold water. Brush the egg-wash onto the bagel and top with poppy seeds (or whatever topping you choose).","27":"Place in oven and bake until golden brown.","29":"Remove from oven and let cool on a rack."}