Bagels are an important morning staple for many, but few pause to think about the origin or history of the beloved breakfast item. Invented in the 17th century in Poland, bagels today come in several different varieties and styles. Bagels can be found in miniature or with flavorings such as cinnamon sugar, poppy seed, onion, or the very popular everything bagel. This guide will explain what makes up the tasty everything bagel, and delves into the history and origin of the delicious snack or morning meal.

What is in an Everything Bagel?

Today, most people take the Everything Bagel for granted. Any reputable bakery will have them, and in many cases the Everything Bagels are the first to fly off the shelves in the morning. As the name implies, an Everything Bagel is covered with a variety of different spices. Poppy seeds, onion, garlic, salt, and various other spices come together to give the bagel a rich, savory flavor. Today, many bakeries use an Everything Bagel seasoning, or even an Everything Bagel spice mix, to create the unique flavors. Each bakery has their own unique Everything Bagel spice recipe that makes it their own. While there are often spices and flavorings within the bagel itself, the quality that is so unique to the Everything Bagel are the crunchy toppings and seeds found on the exterior of the doughy treat. 

How did the Everything Bagel come about?

While there are a few different people who claim to have created the Everything Bagel, the story remains the same. Bakeries that traditionally made bagels covered some in poppy seeds, some in onion, some in salt and others in sesame seeds. At the end of the day, many of these toppings were mixed together, and had to be thrown out. Instead of tossing such a delicious mixture, it became a topping all on its own. The tasty blend of multiple toppings consisted of everything that made a bagel great, appropriately called the Everything Bagel. Today, smaller bakeries or people who make these doughy treats at home can simply purchase a Bagel Spice mix to recreate the flavors when baking in smaller batches. 

Who created the Everything Bagel?

Many give credit to David Gussin for the creation of the Everything Bagel. In early 1980, he worked at a small bakery in New York state, and one day swept up all the remnant bagel toppings. Instead of throwing them away, he claims that he convinced his boss to coat bagels in the mixture and sell them as a tongue in cheek item, known as the Everything Bagel. However, others contest this story, saying that they were in fact the ones to create the popular Everything Bagel. While it cannot be proven either way, it is likely that it was created in a smaller bakery as an ingenious idea sometime in the late 1970s or the early 1980s. 

Making Everything Bagels at Home?

If you don't live near a bakery that makes Everything Bagels, or you just want to try making them at home, it is easier than you might think. By purchasing an everything bagel spice blend; you can recreate the fantastic flavors in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

• Ice 
• 3 shakes worth of celery salt
• 3 shakes worth of sea Salt
• 1 dollop of extra hot horseradish
• 5 generous shakes of Bagel Spice
• 1 teaspoon of A-1 Steak Sauce
• 2 or 3 drops of Tabasco Hot Sauce
• 2 slices of your favorite pickles
• 2 OZ Vodka (or more)
• 1 small can of V8 Juice (5.5 OZ)
 

Directions

1. Fill a 16 OZ cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add all the ingredients above in the following order: Celery Salt, Sea Salt, Hot Horseradish, Bagel Spice,
   A-1 Steak Sauce, Tabasco Hot Sauce, Vodka and finally the V8 Juice. (Following this order will ensure proper mixing)
3. Shake 30 times!
4. Rim* your serving glass with Bagel spice.
   (* Moisten the rim with water or lime and dip into a plate full of Bagel Spice)
5. Place a few ice cubes in the serving glass.
6. Strain the cocktail from the shaker into the glass.
7. Garnish with the pickles on a skewer.
8. Please drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive. 

This recipe was submitted to us by Dorothy from Claremont, CA. -Thank you Dorothy! 

Do you have a favorite dish or drink that you’ve kicked up using Bagel Spice? We’d love to hear about it!  Contact us and we’ll feature it on our blog!

This month, Bagel Spice brings you our most sizzling recipe yet – Mr. B’s Famous Garlicky Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Bagel Spice! It couldn't be any more simple and delicious!

Ingredients

-  12 skinless/boneless chicken breasts
-  2 Tbsp. mayonnaise (Fat-free/Gluten-free works as well)
-  1 head of garlic crushed (Yep, the whole thing)
-  1 Tbsp. salt
-  1 tsp. White pepper (Increase for more "kick")
-  2 Tbsp. Bagel Spice
-  25 x 12" wooden skewers

Directions

1- Clean chicken and cut each breast into 1 inch cubes. Place in large bowl
2- Add mayonnaise, garlic, salt, white pepper and Bagel Spice
3- Mix well, until all chicken is coated with the marinade
4- Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 30 minutes
5- Place chicken pieces on skewers, about 4-5 pieces per skewer
6- Grill on medium-high until the internal temperature is 165 °F
7- The outside should be golden-brown (like in the picture)
8- Eat!

Add some color to the kabobs. Alternate red, yellow, orange or green pepper chunks in between the chicken cubes.

Have a BBQ or favorite Summer dish that you’ve kicked up using Bagel Spice? We’d love to hear about it! E-mail us at info@bagelspice.com and we’ll feature it on our website!

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

-  1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (preferably Maytag Blue cheese)
-  1/2 cup buttermilk
-  2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
-  2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
-  1 tablespoon Bagel Spice
-  Chopped romaine lettuce or yellow cherry tomatoes, or red grape tomatoes, or both, or sliced tomatoes
-  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

To prepare the dressing, place the blue cheese, buttermilk, and olive oil in a medium bowl and stir together with a fork, mashing a little to break up the cheese. Season with the lemon juice, salt, pepper, and Bagel Spice. Set aside for 5 to 10 minutes to let flavors blend. Serve over chopped romaine or combined with tomatoes.

This delicious salad dressing recipe was submitted to us by Bill from California. Thanks Bill :)

-  Two chicken breasts, sliced in half and pounded flat
-  Salt & Pepper
-  Bagel Spice
-  1/4 cup sliced or minced shallots
-  Fresh spinach
-  Juice of two lemons and lemon segments
-  2 tablespoons olive oil
-  5 tablespoons butter
-  3/4 cup chicken stock

 
Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper and Bagel Spice. Sautee the chicken breasts in one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and one tablespoon of butter (heated until butter foams). Flip the breasts when golden brown and heat through. Move the sauteed breasts to a plate. Add the remaining olive oil and butter to the pan and sautee the shallots until transparent. Add the lemon juice, lemon segments and chicken broth. Reduce by half and gradually add 2-3 additional tablespoons of butter. To serve, place a handful of spinach on the plate. Place one chicken breast on top of the spinach and then spoon the lemon butter sauce over the chicken and spinach so that the spinach slightly wilts. Enjoy!

Do you have an idea for a chicken recipe using Bagel Spice? We'd love to hear it and feature it on this blog! Contacy us!
 

-  1 can of tuna
-  Juice of 1/2 lemon
-  Half of  1 small onion, diced
-  1 roma tomato, diced
-  Olive oil
-  Salt
-  Fresh ground pepper
-  1 tablespoon of Bagel Spice

Mix ingredients well. Serve. Enjoy.

- 1 stick of softened butter (salted or unsalted, your choice)
- 2 spoonfuls of Bagel Spice gourmet seasoning
- 5 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 French baguette bread

Mix softened butter, chopped garlic, and Bagel Spice together.

Apply liberally to 1" thick slices of baguette.

Place baguette slices on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees 4-5 minutes or until light golden brown. For the last 30 seconds or so, place sliced under broiler. If you like cheesy garlic bread, add Parmesan cheese during those last 30 seconds of broiling. ENJOY!

Use leftovers for croutons on a salad the next day.

Now you know how to make garlic bread!