Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Amazing Versatility Of The Bagel

By Lelia Boyer


The world seems to have a love affair with the carb laden goodness commonly known as the bagel. Found in grocery stores, coffee shops, and bakeries, these satisfying rolls seem to find their way onto the plates of every bread lover. Often consumed with butter, jam, and/or cream cheese, they are far more versatile than generally accepted.

Bagels and cream cheese go together like bread and butter. Nobody is disputing that this is a delectable combination, but putting a spin on this classic can make Sunday brunch worth talking about all week. It is as simple as spreading sliced, toasted bagels with cream cheese before topping it with fresh arugula and tomato slices.

Due to their durability, these rolls really shine in the lunchbox. Their dense texture helps them retain their shape better than loaf bread, resulting in a more enjoyable, less messy sandwich. From peanut butter and jelly to ham and cheese, almost any sandwich combination is tasty on a bagel. The hearty nature of this sandwich makes it extremely popular with men and growing boys.

To wrap up a long day, try this simple dinner solution. Make hearty tuna melts by spreading basic tuna salad on sliced bagels and topping with shredded cheddar cheese. Cook under the broiler until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve open faced with a bowl of steaming soup and an assortment of fresh vegetables.

To feed a horde of hungry, after school, house guests make mini pizzas. Layer tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese on sliced bagels before baking to golden brown perfection. Allow the pizzas to cool for a few minutes after removing from the oven and cut into quarters for ease of serving. For a fun treat let children create their own pizzas from a buffet of their favorite toppings.

For some extra fun on family game night, use this roll as the base for a festive treat. Assemble a collection of favorite dippers, along with toasted bagel cubes and serve with chocolate or cheese fondue. For Italian style dippers, grill the rolls with garlic butter and serve quartered with the families favorite marinara sauce and a dusting of Parmesan cheese.

With a little creative thinking, this common bread product easily becomes an uncommon entree or snack. Used in place of other bread products, the possibilities are endless. From plain to whole grain to everything: there is a reason the world loves bagels.

bagel




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