Bagels with Zaatar and Labneh
Description
One of the things I love most about bagels is their versatility—they’re a blank canvas for all sorts of delicious toppings and fillings. Naturally, I gave mine a Lebanese twist, sprinkling them with za’atar and stuffing them with creamy labneh and briny olives. The combination was right up my alley, and I savored every bite of these freshly baked delights.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour
- 11/2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 11/4 cups or a bit more lukewarm water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey for the boiling water
- Topping: Zaatar
FOR THE STUFFING: LABNEH
- Black olives
Instructions
- Bake in the preheated oven, for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and when easy to handle cut the bagels with a knife and stuff with labneh and black olives or simply with your favorite stuffing! Enjoy!
- In a large ceramic bowl, combine the flour, sugar, active dry yeast, and salt. Mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Gradually add the lukewarm water, mixing with your hands until a smooth, cohesive dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and set aside for about 2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball.
- Using your thumb, make a hole in the center of each ball, gently stretching it to about 4 cm (1½ inches) in diameter.
- Arrange the bagels on a large, lightly floured tray, leaving a little space between them. Cover with a kitchen towel and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 7 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Stir in the honey, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Working in batches of three, poach the bagels for 40 seconds on each side.
- Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the bagels from the water and transfer them to a tray to drain briefly. Repeat with the remaining bagels.
- Arrange the bagels on a lightly greased baking sheet and sprinkle the tops generously with za’atar.
- Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly until easy to handle.
- Slice the bagels in half and fill with labneh and black olives, or customize them with your favorite fillings. Enjoy!
Notes
Za’atar: An aromatic Middle Eastern spice blend prized for its versatility. It typically combines thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and oregano, bringing a fragrant, tangy, and slightly nutty flavor to a variety of dishes. You can find za’atar at Middle Eastern grocery stores.
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