Homemade Bagels

So there are lots of people in my life who have "gone before"... aka have left America and taken up residence overseas.  There are gazillions of things I respect and love about them, but one that stands out is their incredible ability to get creative and create "like-home" treasures given their countries' limitations.  A group of folks I know overseas started making their own BAGELS.  To me this sounds delicious, but waaaaay beyond my abilities!  But they swore by them and continued to make the deliciousness over and over.   I tucked their recipe away for "a rainy day" when I feel really brave and/or become a professional baker. 

Little did I know that very soon after God's plan for me would also involve leaving America and taking up residence in a land far, far away.  I've been here for a little over 10 months.  And I've seen ZERO bagels.  This is surprising, as the Lebanese pride themselves on their "westernness" and purchase all kinds of imports from the US and Europe on a daily basis. Mostly anything I've wanted from home, I've been able to find here.  We're kind of spoiled in that sense actually. 
So what is it that brought that puffy bready goodness to mind?  Flat-out HOMESICKNESS.  It's summer.  I love summer.  At home.  In America.  Picnics, pools, beaches, staying up late outside with friends, camping, working in the garden, catching lightning bugs, family reunions, Spruce Lake, vacation, walks at dusk in my hometown... the list is seriously endless.  Life is great here - and I'm certainly not complaining.  Lebanon is not bad, just different.  And, as is completely appropriate and "normal" - I miss home!  The last time I had a bagel in America was, oh probably years ago!  But now - as soon as the thought came to mind, it was like "I HAVE TO HAVE THEM NOW!"

I won't go through the whole process here... But needless to say, every step was just as they said it on the recipe.  It wasn't difficult by any means.  Just involved lots of steps, and an overnight (I'm not very good at planning these types of "let-it-sit-in-the-refrigerator-overnight" kind of things). 

But the result?  OH.  OH OH OH OH OH.  I couldn't stop at one.  I ate one.  Still warm from the oven.  And then I gave some to Valor.  And then I ate some more...  Seriously the best bagels I have ever eaten.  Is that because I haven't had one in a long time and I live in the Middle East and I'm homesick?  Perhaps.  I don't care.  It was worth the time and the sweat.   

PS - I also found a bottle of Heinz Sweet Relish and snatched it up immediately.  It made me immensely (but superficially) happy.  I proceeded to make tuna salad with it.  And a "Big Mac Salad."  And tomorrow I'll probably put it on a hot dog. Do I love relish?  Not at all.  Weird things happen to you when you move overseas!