There are so many great ways to use wild garlic. Of course you have the classic wild garlic pesto, but we like to add it to all sorts of things, including the New York style bagel. Here’s how to make tasty Wild Garlic and Cheese Bagels
Typically, you can begin to pick Wild Garlic in February. However, on the south coast you can sometimes get your pick on a bit earlier. Head to your nearest woodland and get your forage on. Once you’ve cooked your bagels you can then continue to add more wild ingredients into them, you can go truly wild.
Ingredients:
450g strong white bread flower
1 tbsp sugar
1 packet of instant yeast
300ml warm water
1.5 tsp Cornish sea salt
1 beaten egg
dried wild garlic
grated cheddar cheese
Pinch more of sea salt
Method:
- Measure out the warm water and add in the sugar and yeast. Stir and leave it to come alive – about 5 minutes. In a large bowl weigh out the flour and add the salt. Stir to mix and pour in the yeast water and combine.
- On a floured surface knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough back into the bowl, coat in a little olive oil, cover with a damp tea towel and leave it to rest for 1 hour. It should double in size.
- After 1 hour push down on the dough and let it rest another 30 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll them into smooth balls. Gently push a finger through the centre of each ball and stretch into bagel shaped rings. Place them on a tray covered with baking paper and cover with a wet tea towel. Let them rest for another 10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 200C and bring a large pot of hot water to a boil. Drop the bagels into the water (you may have to do this in stages, so they don’t overlap too much). Wait till they rise to the surface then boil for 2 minutes. Turnover and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place back onto your paper-lined tray.
- Beat the egg and coat the dough. At this stage add your toppings. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool and enjoy!
Once your bagels have cooked you should be left with a bagel that tastes fresh and cheesy. Wild Garlic and Cheddar scones would also be a great alternative if you don’t like bagels!
