Bialy is the lesser known cousin of the bagel and we had a guest chef show us just how easy they are for any home bread baker to make
We are so excited to have a guest chef working with us this week. He's introducing us to bialy and getting us to step a little outside our comfort zone with this delicious, aromatic bread. Join us, and find out just how simple they are to make, a few interesting facts about bialys, and some fun variations.
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Introducing Chef Marcus
Chef Marcus is local here in the Atlanta area. In fact, he graduated from The Art Institute of Atlanta with a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Management.
Since graduation he has discovered a real love for bread baking and has a particular fondness for European breads. He tells us that Americans are learning to appreciate the rustic and crusty "toughness" of European breads, and these bialys are a perfect example.
What is a Bialy and How is it Different from a Bagel?
Originating from the town of Bialystock in Poland, bialys are a round, bun-shaped bread. Traditionally, they are filled with onions and/or garlic and poppy seeds. There is no hole in the center like a bagel has.
Instead, a small well, or indentation is formed for a spot to hold the filling. Whereas bagels are boiled briefly, bialys are only baked, and while still crusty and firm on the outside, they remain fairly tender inside.
The next day after we made our bialys with Chef Marcus, I thought how delicious one would be if it were split, toasted and slathered in butter.
Only later, when finishing up the research for this post, did I discover that this is not a traditional way to eat bialys. Oops!
I have to admit, though, that Chef Marcus did encourage us to get creative with our bialys. It is a simple, mouthwatering bread all on its own, but he said we should feel comfortable in experimenting with fillings.
You know us, we had to add a southern twist to a few but he gave us his blessings on that. I hope he approves when he sees this one toasted.
Are They Really Easy to Make?
Yes. It's true. There is nothing complicated about making bialy. There is a good bit of time from beginning to end because they go through two full fermentation periods (rising). But, the actual hands on time is pretty minimal.
I personally would not attempt to make them without a stand mixer. The dough is stiff and gave the mixer a workout, so I can only imagine what kind of workout your arms would get if you knead by hand.
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My family all went in together and gifted me with a stand mixer for Christmas and I love it! If you're in the market for one you can Click over here for all the details and ordering info. This is my exact mixer.
Traditional Bialy Fillings and Beyond
According to Chef Marcus, onions and sometimes a sprinkle of poppy seeds and/or garlic are the traditional filling for bialy. For a few of ours we did saute' about ½ cup of diced sweet onion in a Tablespoon of olive oil for about 5 minutes.
Being the sweet southern girls that we are, we came up with a pecan and bourbon filling for a few of them. We toasted ½ cup of chopped pecans for a few minutes and then melted butter in a skillet and tossed them in that with a spoonful of brown sugar and a dash of bourbon until melty and fragrant.
You can leave bialys unfilled and drizzle with melted butter when they come out of the oven. Yummmmm..... Or a sprinkling of coarse kosher salt would be just divine.
Kate from Food Babbles came up with some outside-the-box fillings that sound fun and delicious, and we've added those to the list of possibilities. But you can just let your imagination go wild. You've got a simple, rustic and crusty bread that could be the basis for so many flavors. Try these for starters:
- traditional onion, sauteed or caramelized, with or without garlic
- poppy seeds, combined with the onion or on their own
- a sprinkling of grated cheese
- pizza style, with a little marinara, pepperoni and mozarella
- sliced jalapenos along with cheese
- pecans with a little butter, brown sugar and bourbon
Imagine what a delightful brunch you can put together with these bialys and Ham and Potato Frittata. That recipe is here.
📖 Recipe
Bialys with Traditional Fillings and Beyond
Ingredients
- 5⅛ cup flour all purpose or bread
- 13 ounces warm water filtered
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1⅛ teaspoons yeast
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in bowl of stand mixer with dough hook.
- Mix on low speed about 3 minutes to blend ingredients.
- Turn mixer to speed #2 (second from lowest) and mix for 5-6 minutes.
- Cover with cloth and then with plastic wrap. Let sit in warm place for about 1 hour. Place on lightly floured board and pat down slightly, then fold in half one time.
- Place back in bowl. Cover with cloth and plastic and let sit in warm place another 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.
- Divide the dough into 3 ounce pieces, using a dough cutter, if possible.
- Round the dough pieces and place on floured pan with seams on bottom. Cover with cloth and plastic wrap and place in warm place until doubled in bulk, about one and a half hours.
- Taking each roll, place both thumbs in the middle stretching toward the edges as you turn the roll, creating a hollow well in the center. Use the markings on dough cutter to make each bialys a uniform size. The well in the center should be about one and a half inches.
- If desired, brush with egg wash made from one egg lightly beaten with 1 Tablespoon of water. Fill the well with about a rounded teaspoonful of filling. Traditional filling is onion, but can be left without filling or add anything you like.
- Place on parchment paper on baking sheet or baking stone. Bake at 480 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Can drizzled with butter or sprinkled with coarse kosher salt.
Lisa Bynum says
You learn something new everyday -- I had never heard of a bialy. BUT I love that you put your own Southern spin on them!
Pam says
Aw, thanks Lisa. I have to admit when our guest chef suggested we make them, I had never heard of them either. They were delicious!
Jill says
These bialys are making my mouth water. I've never actually had one so definitely need to try this recipe!
Pam says
It was our first time trying them, too, Jill. They were so good!!!!
Tara says
I love Bialys! I'm looking forward to trying them while in NYC next month, but definitely need to try to make them at home. They look so wonderful with the onion filling.
Pam says
Thanks, Tara! Have fun in New York!
Linda says
Mr, Bagel in Southern Maine has traditional bialys. I usually get a bagel with cream cheese but today I tried a bialy with bacon, egg and pepperjack cheese! Amazing!
Jem says
I've never tried Bilays before, but now I'm intrigued. They look delicious!
Pam says
You'll have to try them, Jem. They are truly delicious!
Beth says
There is nothing better than smell of homemade bread baking in the oven! Those look so awesome! I wish I had one right now!
Pam says
We would have to agree with you on that, Beth!
Bea Grossman says
Love bialys!! The were a staple in our house on Sunday mornings when growing up. The only place that I ever see them are when we travel to NYC. Is there any chance that Chef Marcus will sell them? Not sure if I am up to making them.
Pam says
He just might, Bea. Shoot him an email. His address is in the blog post.
Louise says
As a lifelong New Yorker, I find bialys really good spread with a "schmear" (cream cheese or butter) after lightly toasting them. But here's a hint: save time and buy good pizza dough to form into bialys. In New York, they are dusted with flour and filled with sauteed onions. However, I love the idea of an egg wash with the sweet fillings. Thanks!
Pamela says
Bourbon and pecans? I'm in. I'll have to do the dough by hand though, gave my mixer to my niece because I never used it. Waah. Seriously, this bread looks wonderful and I will be trying it this weekend. Thanks for the recipe and thanks to Chef Marcus.
Pam says
Have fun. In some ways I think it would be fun to try it the old-fashioned way without the mixer. Enjoy!
Susan says
I love Bialys! Marcus, yours look better than any I have had in Florida bagel shops. You should really make some for your Aunt Susan 🙂
Louise says
As a lifelong New Yorker, I find bialys really good spread with a "schmear" (cream cheese or butter) after lightly toasting them. But here's a hint: save time and buy good pizza dough to form into bialys. In New York, they are dusted with flour and filled with sauteed onions. However, I love the idea of an egg wash with the sweet fillings. Thanks!
Cindy Perkins says
I am going to try this recipe tomorrow. Recently had my first bialy and it was delish ! This one had goat cheese and fresh fruit in the center, and the dough had a slightly sweet flavor, maybe a bit of honey in the egg wash?
Can’t wait to try making them!
Pam says
Yummm...that sounds good too! Hope yours turn out great.
Cindy Perkins says
Getting ready to try this recipe but I don’t have a scale. When portioning the dough, can you give me a rough idea what size the ball should be? Golf ball maybe? Thanks I’m advance.
Pam says
Hi Cindy, I would say a little bigger than a golf ball, but not quite as big as a baseball. Hope that helps.
Angela says
I am making a sourdough version of this right now! Popped on to look for filling variations. I am thinking a homemade tomato jam atop a bit of cream cheese or feta on top. Or a cream cheese with blackberry bourbon jam. (I cook and bake like mad, but I hate chopping onions more than anything!)! Love your pecan and bourbon idea!