Fresh, Hot Bagels

Makes 18 *DIRECTIONS* Stir yeast into 1-1/2 cups warm water in large bowl; let stand until bubbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in sugar, salt and enough flour to make soft dough. Knead dough on lightly floured board until smooth and elastic, adding remaining flour as necessary. Let dough stand covered in warm place 15 minutes. Punch down dough; roll on lightly floured board to rectangle 13x4 inches (about 1-inch thick). Cut dough into 18 strips with floured knife. Roll each strip gently to form rope 1/2-inch thick; moisten ends and press together to form bagels. Place bagels on floured cookie sheets. Let stand covered 20 minutes. Heat 1 gallon water to boiling in large saucepan; reduce heat to medium. Place 3 or 4 bagels in saucepan; simmer uncovered 7 minutes (no longer). Drain on towel. Repeat with remaining bagels. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake bagels on ungreased cookie sheets until golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Makes 18 bagels. Note: To top the bagels with poppy or sesame seeds, remove them from the oven after 10 minutes of baking. Brush them with 1 egg white beaten with 1 tablespoon water, sprinkle with seeds. Continue baking until golden. From: "Bagels! Bagels! and more Bagels!" by Nao Hauser and Sue Spitler, c. Lender's Bagel Bakery, Inc., Bantam Books, 1982. Shared by June Hoffman, 6/93