Homemade Bagels and Lox: Challenging New York's Best

The Challenge: Recreating New York's Iconic Bagels and Lox

New York City is renowned for its bagels and lox - a classic combination that has become synonymous with the city's culinary identity. But can a homemade version stand up to the offerings of iconic establishments like Russ & Daughters and Shelsky's? That's the challenge we're taking on today.

Understanding the Components

What are Bagels?

Bagels are ring-shaped bread products that are boiled before baking, giving them their distinctive chewy texture and shiny exterior. Traditional New York-style bagels are known for their dense, chewy interior and crisp outer crust.

What is Lox?

Lox is thinly sliced, cured salmon. It's typically cured in a mixture of salt and sugar, which preserves the fish and gives it its characteristic flavor and texture. While sometimes smoked, traditional lox is not smoked.

The Competition

Before attempting our homemade version, we sampled offerings from two of New York's most renowned establishments:

Russ & Daughters

A New York institution for over 100 years, Russ & Daughters is famous for its smoked fish, particularly its smoked salmon. Their bagel and lox combination features:

• A tender yet chewy bagel
• Silky, fatty smoked salmon with a distinct smoky flavor
• A perfect balance of textures and flavors

Shelsky's

A relative newcomer at 60 years old, Shelsky's has made a name for itself with excellent breakfast sandwiches. Their bagel and lox offering includes:

• An even more tender bagel than Russ & Daughters
• Unsmoked lox with a more subtle flavor
• A well-balanced, everyday option

The Homemade Version

Making the Lox

For our homemade lox, we're using a simple curing process:

1. Start with high-quality, sushi-grade salmon to ensure food safety
2. Create a curing mixture of salt and sugar in equal parts
3. Add spices for a unique flavor profile (optional)
4. Cure the salmon for 3 days, flipping daily

Crafting the Bagels

Creating authentic New York-style bagels at home is a multi-day process:

1. Make a preferment (a mixture of flour, water, and yeast) and let it ferment for 4-24 hours
2. Mix the dough using bread flour, salt, honey, and the preferment
3. Shape the bagels and let them cold-proof in the refrigerator for 2-3 days
4. Boil the bagels briefly in water with baking soda and molasses
5. Top with sesame seeds or other toppings
6. Bake until golden brown

The Taste Test

After preparing our homemade bagels and lox, we conducted a blind taste test comparing our creation to the offerings from Russ & Daughters and Shelsky's. Here's how they ranked:

1. Shelsky's
2. Homemade version
3. Russ & Daughters

The Verdict

While our homemade version didn't take the top spot, it performed admirably, beating out the legendary Russ & Daughters. Here's what our tasters had to say:

• The homemade bagel had the best texture - airy and fluffy with a nice crust
• The lox had a unique flavor profile due to the added spices in the cure
• The overall combination worked well together

Lessons Learned

1. Bagel texture is crucial - aim for a balance between chewiness and tenderness
2. The boiling process significantly affects the final texture of the bagel
3. Cold fermentation of the bagel dough develops flavor and improves texture
4. Lox curing is a delicate process - balance is key between salt, sugar, and any added flavors
5. The quality of ingredients, especially the salmon, makes a big difference

Tips for Making Bagels and Lox at Home

1. Use high-quality, fresh ingredients
2. Allow plenty of time for fermentation and proofing
3. Don't skip the boiling step for authentic bagel texture
4. Experiment with different toppings and flavors
5. Practice makes perfect - don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't perfect

Conclusion

While New York's iconic establishments still hold the crown for the best bagels and lox, our homemade version proved that it's possible to create a worthy contender in your own kitchen. With some practice and attention to detail, you can enjoy a delicious, restaurant-quality bagel and lox experience at home.

Whether you're a New Yorker looking to recreate your favorite breakfast or someone from afar wanting to experience a taste of the Big Apple, making your own bagels and lox is a rewarding culinary adventure. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to impress your taste buds with your very own homemade New York-style bagels and lox.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOfaRpmuzJY