Chefs say there are only 3 reasons to ever toast a fresh bagel
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Many people enjoy doughy, delicious bagels - but not everyone agrees on how they should be eaten.
New Yorkers and breakfast lovers alike have long-debated whether or not
The chefs Insider spoke to all agreed that toasting a freshly baked bagel is both unnecessary and possibly harmful to the
He said a "bagel is a special thing" that should be enjoyed as-is when it's fresh and still in its prime.
Chef Melissa Weller, head baker at High Street on Hudson in New York City, agreed, noting that toasting is really only helpful when a bagel isn't at its absolute freshest point. "When it's a well-made bagel, you should toast only once it begins to [get] stale, which is usually two to three hours after it comes out of the oven," Weller told Insider. "Once it is stale, you should always toast a bagel."Weller said somewhat stale bagels and mass-produced ones can always benefit from a quick visit to the toaster.
Jayda Atkinson, chef at Fork and Boot in New Orleans, Louisiana, agreed that toasting a bagel can boost its texture and flavor quality, telling Insider that "something about the crispy edges and chewy insides makes a perfect bagel."
According to Kaley Laird, executive pastry chef of Rhubarb, The Rhu, and Benne on Eagle in Asheville, North Carolina, bagels that have a sourdough base could benefit from a trip to the toaster, as the heat can help enhance their flavors.
Bagels aren't just for cream cheese and butter - if you've got big plans for this doughy carb, you may want to take out your toaster.
If you are making a pizza bagel, which swaps out a typical crust for a bagel, or a sandwich with a bagel as the base, toasting is essential, said Chef Lauren Shockey, a food writer and cookbook author.By toasting a bagel that you plan to top with sauce, cold cuts, lettuce, or other somewhat moist toppings, you can ensure that your base stays firm and crisp.
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