Four things to do with bagels

4 simple yet delicious things to do with bagels that will make them a little more interesting…

Pizza bagel

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 bagel

Handful of cheese

Pepperoni/chorizo slices

Tomato puree

Method

1. Preheat your grill on a medium heat.

2. Grate your cheese, preferably into finer/smaller pieces as this will melt faster.

3. Cut your bagel in half as normal, and toast the crust side either under the grill or on a one-sided toaster (where only one side will get toasted). It should be crunchy, but if possible not browned.

4. Once crunchy, spread the puree in an even layer on the breaded side. Puree will make for a less soggy pizza bagel opposed to tomato sauce. Add the cheese and pepperoni on top of the bagel halves and place on a baking tray.

5. Grill for 4 - 6 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly crispy on top.

6. Take off the baking trays and cool for 30 seconds, then serve warm. Enjoy!

Avocado bagel

Serves 2

Ingredients

1 bagel

2 eggs

1 medium avocado

Dried chilli flakes

Salt

6 tbsp flavourless oil e.g rapeseed

Method

1. Heat up a non-stick frying pan and add the oil. Once little gas bubbles appear, crack in the eggs. Once they have started solidifying, take a large spoon and tilt the frying pan so that the oil puddles on one side. Use the spoon to scoop up the oil and tip it onto the eggs. You'll have to repeat it many times. This will create a crispy bottom and cooked top while saving the runny yolk by not flipping them.

2. Once the eggs are done, remove from the pan and set aside on a plate. Then, cut the avocado in half and remove the seed. Using a knife, thinly slice each half while it is still in its skin. Take a preferably oval-shaped spoon and scoop out the halves, trying to keep it all intact. Sprinkle salt over the top and set aside.

3. Cut the bagel and toast it until golden brown.

4. To assemble, lay the avocado halves over the bagel upside down. Push the slices gently, and they should fan out in layers. Top with the eggs and a sprinkling of dried chilli flakes. One half of the bagel should be enough for one person due to the good fats in the avocado and the egg. Enjoy!

Sweet bagel

Serves 1 or 2

Ingredients

1 bagel

Nutella or peanut butter

Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries - or all of them!

Sprinkles

Method

1. This one really is as simple as it sounds. Cut your bagel in half and toast it to avoid sogginess.

2. Spread on your spread of choice, and add the fruit.

3. Optionally, you could add some sprinkles too.

4. Enjoy! This type of bagel is great for dessert or an after-school snack.

Elevated bagel BLM

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 bagel

2 slices bacon

About 25g cheese (or two square slices)

Lettuce

Tomatoes (preferably one big one, or 3 cherry)

2tsp mayonnaise

2tsp ketchup

1tsp sriracha sauce

Method

1. Add your bacon to the frying pan while the pan is cold and the heat is off. This will help to render the fat off. Fry on medium heat until pink and as crispy or soft as you like it. Once done, put on a plate and set aside.

2. Cut your bagel in half and toast in the toaster. Grate your cheese if it is a block and not pre-made slices. Cut the thicker white part off the lettuce, and slice the tomatoes.

3. To make the sauce, mix together the mayo, ketchup and sriracha in a small dish until fully combined and an even colour. Thin with a little water if needed.

4. To assemble, first add your bacon and cheese to one half of the bagel. Optionally, you could now put this under a high grill to melt the cheese.

5. Add the lettuce and tomato, and then spread a generous layer of sauce to the top half of the bagel. Sandwich the two halves together, and enjoy!