I read this looking for instructions on shaping. But I was VERY surprised to read the description of a NY bagel as "bready and soft"! Who on earth ever thought a NY bagel should be bready and soft? That is a California bagel, for sure. I am a native New Yorker and a good NY bagel is VERY chewy and dense, and the best ones have a center hole that is nearly closed, like the best ones from Long Island and Brooklyn. Also, real NY bagels need Barley Malt Syrup. Hard to find in stores, but easily obtainable online.

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