Cutting a Bagel

Since I ate my first bagel, slicing it in half has been a pretty routine act. I slice it laterally through the middle and do my best to avoid slicing the hand that is holding the bagel. Recently I acquired a bagel slicing device. It is danger-free.

Now I have learned that I have been cutting my bagel the wrong way. Instead of cutting it with a knife, the “better” way is to cut it through by plunging a fork laterally, repeatedly through the bagel until it has been split as if sliced in the more traditional way. (A 4-tine fork works better than a 3-tine fork.)

So what is the advantage? After you toast it, instead of a flat surface on which to put warm butter, cream cheese or peanut butter, the spread soaks into the bagel along hundreds of little peaks.

Try it.

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