The Best (and Safest) Way to Slice a Bagel | Lifehacker

There are a few mysterious, un-cited claims across the web that anyplace from 2,000 to 40,000 individuals in a given 12 months went to the hospital within the U.S. for a bagel-related harm. Whatever quantity could also be actual, I’ve little doubt that some of us lower themselves fairly badly slicing bagels, and that’s as a result of they’re not like different items of bread. They could be fairly laborious on the skin, they’re round-edged, and we’re solely happy in the event that they’re lower into two rings. Here’s what I do know: I’ve lower myself making an attempt to separate a bagel whereas holding it in my palm earlier than, and it sucked. I didn’t go to the hospital, however I additionally didn’t get pleasure from my bagel that day.  

Grab the correct knife

If you’ve got ever watched the employees at a busy bagel store cut up open bagels, they’re in all probability utilizing a protracted serrated knife. A serrated knife is greatest for slicing most breads, and that is very true for a bagel. Breads usually have a troublesome crust and a softer inside crumb. The serrated knife’s enamel chunk into the crust, permitting you to noticed into the bread. A chef’s knife or different smooth-bladed knife can simply slip off the crust. If your bagel is frozen or stale, this makes the crust much more slippery. That’s lower threat primary, and we haven’t even began but. 

Here are some knives up for the duty:

The proper option to maintain a bagel whilst you’re slicing it

Cut threat quantity two has every part to do with the way you grip the bagel—and I’ll inform you now, it’s not in your palm. Unlike different rolls and breads, a bagel doesn’t provide you with a spongy floor and it doesn’t actually have a handy flat facet for a way you wish to lower it. So it’s a must to work with its strengths.

The greatest, most secure option to lower a bagel is to put it on a slicing board bottom-down, like the best way it baked within the oven. Do not attempt to steadiness it on one finish and lower down. There’s no option to actually preserve your fingers protected, and the darn factor is completely going to roll round or slip sideways. Stability is at all times greatest when slicing.

Press down and preserve your fingers up.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Hold a protracted, serrated knife in your dominant hand, parallel to the slicing board and midway up the bagel. 

Saw into the bagel a few half-inch or so.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

This is the vital half. Use your non-dominant palm to use stress, however preserve these digits up and out of the best way. Keep your elbow up too—you don’t need a mishap to happen and unintentionally lower your forearm.

Give the bagel 1 / 4 flip.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Turn the bagel and pull the knife to proceed sawing the bagel in your dominant hand-side.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Now, along with your knife-holding hand, you may noticed into the bagel a bit, perhaps a half-inch. Use your pressure-applying hand to offer the bagel a quarter-turn. The knife by no means adjustments place, solely the bagel does. Repeat the sawing movement, and switch it once more. Do this till you make it again round. 

Repeat this movement going over the identical lower mark till you attain the middle.
Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Then do all of it once more however this time you’re midway into the center of the bagel. By the time you make it again round, and even earlier than that, you ought to be by way of to the middle. Lift the highest off and proceed along with your breakfast.

Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

You might use a bagel guillotine. Its title doesn’t encourage confidence, and for those who’ve learn my put up on gimmicky home equipment then you know the way I actually really feel That mentioned, I get it: You actually aren’t helpful with knives, or your mother-in-law purchased you one. It’s high quality. But you don’t want to purchase one if in case you have a serrated knife and also you’re prepared to discover ways to deal with it differently. With a little bit of apply, you’ll be safely and simply slicing bagels very quickly.