Instructions: Shaping the Dough: Divide the risen dough in half; work with one piece of dough at a time, keeping the other piece covered. Cut the dough into 6 equal pieces. Work with one piece of dough at a time, keeping the others covered with a towel. Shape the dough into a round and flatten the center to create a thick 1/2-inch-wide rim. Prick the center of the bialy with the tines of a fork and transfer it to a cornmeal-dusted towel; cover with another towel while you shape the other 5 bialys.

Prick the center of each shaped bialy again and transfer to the peel or a prepared baking sheet. Spoon a little of the onion-poppy seed filling into the center of each bialy and prick again to flatten.

Baking the Bialys: Put 4 ice cubes in a 1-pint measuring cup and add 1/4 cup cold water. Put the bialys into the oven and immediately toss the ice cubes and water onto the oven floor (or into the hot pan). Immediately close the oven door to trap the steam. Bake the bialys for 10 minutes, turn the oven down to 450iF, and bake for 5 minutes more. Transfer to a rack to cool. Brush off the baking stone, if necessary, and return the oven to 500iF.

While the first batch is baking, cut and shape the remaining bialys. Then bake them as you did the first batch. (When you are comfortable with this dough, youll be about to work on a dozen bialys at once, baking them in one batch on a baking stone or two baking sheets.)

Storing: Bialys are best the day they are made. To freeze them, cut them in half and wrap airtight. The bialys will keep in the freezer for a month and can be popped into the toaster directly from the freezer.

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