In a large mixing bowl, add the yeast, 1 tablespoon of sugar and 120ml/0.5 cup of the the water. Leave for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Add the rest of the water, the salt and half of the flour. Stir well.
Add the remaining flour a little at a time and using your hands, mix into a dough. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough feels elastic and soft. Shape into a ball and place into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and put somewhere warm to proof until doubled in size - about 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C(fan)/425°F/Gas 7. Lightly flour a work surface and divide the dough into eight equal pieces. Shape each into a ball and then push the handle of a wooden spoon all the way through the centre. Holding the spoon, carefully twirl the dough around the handle so the dough stretches and forms a 3cm/1 inch hole.
Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add the rest of the sugar. Reduce the heat to a simmer and put the bagels into the water (depending on the size of your pan will depend on how many bagels you can fit in). Simmer for 2 minutes, turning the bagels a few times. They should puff up.
Remove the bagels from the water and gently shake off any excess water. Put onto a lined baking tray and sprinkle with the seasoning. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes and then leave to cool on a wire rack.
25 g Everything Seasoning
Notes
Make sure you are really careful when handling the uncooked, shaped bagels when putting them in to the water. You want to make sure that they retain their shape.
The dough really needs somewhere warm to rise, as the yeast reacts to warmth, as it's a fairly quick rising dough. You can put it it on a sunny windowsill or in a warm cupboard.
Don't overcrowd the water that the bagels cook in first. We had a large pan, and we still just did 2 at a time. They need some space because they do puff up when they are in the water.
If you like a really chewy bagel, leave them in the water for about 1 minute longer.
The cooking time will depend on the temperature of your oven. Some run hot, some run cold - you know your oven best. Use an oven thermometer to make sure it is exact. These should be done in just 25 minutes in the oven. Just look out for that golden brown top.
Leave them to cool for 10 minutes before serving. They are delicious served a little bit warm, but try to resist cutting in to them right away. You can always cut them and toast them to warm them up a little before serving.