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Feb
21
2010

Mmmm bagels

This weekend Brenda and I decided we wanted some bagels.  So rather than going to buy some, we decided to make them.  This was our first time making bagels.  I must say they came out great.  We will definitely be making this recipe again.  We cut this recipe in half for our first try.  the result was 8 beautiful bagels, 2 each of poppy seed, sesame seed, onion, and everything bagels.  I can't wait to try them again.  Check out the Bagel Recipe here.
Ingredients:
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 2 packages active dry yeast
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • about 5 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted
  • 3 quarts water with 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
  • about 2 tablespoons poppy, sesame seeds, or onion flakes
Instructions:
  • Stir together water and yeast in large bowl of stand mixer; let stand 5 minutes to soften yeast.
  • Stir in the Sugar and Salt.  Gradually mix in 4 cups of the flour and mix with the dough hook for 1-2 minutes. Add about 1 1/4 cups more flour to make a stiff dough. Mix with dough hook until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky, (5 -7 minutes); add more flour as needed to prevent sticking - dough should be firmer than for most other yeast breads.
bagel mixing bagel mixing bagel mixing
  • Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled (about 40 minutes to 1 hour).
  • Punch dough down and divide in half. Set half of the dough aside on a floured board; cover with clear plastic. Cut remaining half of the  dough into 8 equal pieces.
  • To shape, knead each piece into small ball and poke thumbs through center. With one thumb in hole (hole should be at least 1/2 inch) work fingers around perimeter, shaping ball into a donut like shape. Place bagels on a floured board or tray and let stand 20 minutes.
bagel shaping bagel shaping bagel shaping
  • Bring water-sugar mixture to a boil in a 4 to 5 quart pan; adjust heat to keep it boiling gently. Lift bagels carefully and drop into water (a few at a time).
  • Boil gently for 1 minute turning only once (30 seconds each side). Lift out with slotted spoon and drain very briefly on paper towels, and place on parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with 1/3 of the egg yolk glaze, sprinkle with seeds, or onion and bake in a 400° oven for 15 minutes or until richly browned. cool on racks.
bagel cooling bagel cooling bagel cooling
  • Repeat with remaining dough (you may need to punch it down before shaping).  Makes 16 bagels.
 
Jan
25
2010

Nose Job

No, not for me... why, do you think my nose is big?... for the Cobra.  Just a little project that I wanted to do this winter.  I thinkit really makes the front of the car look cleaner.  It took just a few hours to make a template out of some poster board, and I cut the actual piece from some old roof flashing I have had in the basement for years.  Slipped it in to place, and secured it.  I think it turned out pretty good.  The pictures don't do it justice.  I want to do some road testing to make sure it doesn't rattle, or move at speed, but that will have to wait until we have better roadster driving weather.  I took some before and after pics, but the garage is dark and cramped, so they didn't come out great.  But here you go.

before:
Cobra nose before

After:
Cobra nose after Cobra nose after
Cobra nose after Cobra nose after

Scott Pollacek - about me

 
Jan
05
2010

How'd I do in '09

At the end of 2008, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2009.  I tried not to call them resolutions, but more things that I wanted to do.  I thoguht that it would be good to look back at what I wanted to do, and see what I actually accomplished... he we go:

  1. Spend a long weekend in Cleveland. - DONE!  We had a great time saw a couple of baseball games, and the R&R HOF.
  2. Get a lot more use out of the boat than we did in '08. BZZZT - fail Frown We hardly got out in the boat at all again last year.
  3. Finish the outdoor bar at the lake. I am going out on a limb and calling this one DONE!  We made a temporary bar top, and it is at least fully functional.  There is more to do to make it everything I want it to be, but I really jsut want to cross this off.
  4. Actually spend time learning to speak Italian. BZZZT - fail Frown Didn't make any progress on this at all.
  5. Go on a vacation away from home. BZZZT - fail Frown that is unless you count the weekend in Cleveland... but I have high hopes for a tropical vacation in 2010
  6. Go visit people we have been promising to visit for a while. DONE!  We actually got out a few times to see these particular people.  And I hope to see them all again some more in 2010.
  7. Clean out the basement. DONE!  I had to clean out the basement to make room for our newest toy!
  8. Take some steps to advance my career. I am calling this one a FAIL... same job, same crap, same same same
  9. Finish the tile project. BZZZT - fail Frown Not even attempted
  10. Generally enjoy life more. I think I did a pretty good job of enjoying life, but I also don't want to say that I am done enjoying life more... I'll always want to enjoy life more.
So there it is... the recap of my 2009 non-resolution to do list.  Iaccomplished 5 out of 10.  I could probably do better, but I wasn't a complete failure.
I know it's already Jan 5th, I should probably make a new list for 2010... Maybe later in the week.

Scott Pollacek - about me

 
Nov
17
2009

Sunset 11/14/2009

I thought I would post a picture of the sunset from this weekend.  I think I'll also make this a new background for the site.

Sunset 11/14/2009

Scott Pollacek - about me

 
Nov
09
2009

Uninvited Guests

It was an interesting weekend!  Saturday morning we had a couple of deer taking laps around the neighbors house.  They hung out for 10 minutes or so, then headed up the street.  We spent the day working on the docks.  Building a temporary structure to raise the boatlift out of the water.  After dinner we settled down on the sofa, when we heard a unique sound... I'll let the pictures tell the story.
Click for more on the univited guests (pics)
 
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