Smoked Salmon Bagel

Quick and easy to make this cream cheese and smoked salmon bagel is the perfect brunch recipe. Full of fresh flavors, every bite is delicious!

Perfect to enjoy for a tasty breakfast or a lazy Sunday brunch, this cream cheese and smoked salmon bagel is all kinds of delicious! With fresh flavors of lemon and dill, this is one tasty bite!

• area. Most importantly, make sure it has no coloring and opt for natural smoked salmon for the best flavor. You can substitute with cooked salmon, but it would be very different taste.
• Cream cheese: Use full fat cream cheese for these bagels for the best flavor, but you can use a low fat one if you prefer.
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds a wonderful zing and freshness and works perfectly with the flavor of salmon.
• Seasoning: Keep it simple with salt and pepper especially with the fresh dill and the need to have the smoke salmon flavor shine through.
• Dill: Dill is such a star herb to pair with seafood because it has a fresh citrus-like flavor. You can use fresh parsley if you prefer.
• Toppings: Use any toppings like, cucumbers, red onions, capers as pictured blow. Or you even add avocado, eggs, tomatoes or even olives!

HOW TO MAKE SMOKED SALMON BAGEL

1. Add the cream cheese, lemon juice, dill and salt and pepper to a bowl.
2. Mix well to combine.
3. Spread the cheese mixture on to half of a toasted bagel.
4. Top with cucumber, smoked salmon, capers and red onions and close the bagel.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BAGEL SANDWICH

1. Toast your bagels. Toasting them adds another texture and really adds to the deliciousness! You can have them un-toasted, but they are so much better this way!
2. Soften the cream cheese before combining. This will allow the ingredients to mix in more evenly and easily. It’s a good idea to take the cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes before making these.
3. Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled. It’s so much fresher and zingier and also contains more vitamins.
4. Use the freshest ingredients. This simple bagel is all about the freshest ingredients. Use the best quality ingredients you can for the best sandwich.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can you make them ahead of time?

These bagels are best built right before serving so that everything is nice and fresh. You can mix the cream cheese a day or two ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge. If you want to make these as part of a packed lunch, you can make them up to 24 hours ahead of time and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and keep them refrigerated.

What’s the best smoked salmon to use?

Where possible, use a natural or organic smoked salmon for the best flavor and quality. Norwegian is definitely preferable. Chose one that has no added frovetiy or preservatives.

What other toppings can you add?

Any toppings you like! Because the smoked salmon and cream cheese are both soft in texture, trying adding some crunchy toppings, like the red onion and cucumber. Saying that, you really can’t go wrong with a poached egg or avocado!