Smoked Salmon Bagels with Whipped Cream Cheese
In short: Toasted bagels with lemon-chive whipped cream cheese, smoked salmon, cucumber, capers and red onion. Ready in 10 minutes with no cooking. It takes about 13 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 3 min
- Total
- 13 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 465 kcal
A good smoked salmon bagel is all about contrast: chewy toasted bread, cool and creamy cheese, salty fish and crisp, sharp toppings. Whipping the cream cheese with a splash of milk makes it light and easy to spread, and lemon zest and chives keep it fresh. Everything is assembled in ten minutes with no cooking, which suits a lazy weekend or a brunch spread.
Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese with the milk in a bowl, using a whisk or electric mixer, for 1 to 2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Stir in the lemon zest, chives and a few grinds of pepper.
- Toast the bagel halves until golden and crisp at the edges.
- Spread each half generously with the whipped cream cheese.
- Drape the smoked salmon over the bottom halves. Top with the cucumber, capers, red onion and dill.
- Add the bagel tops, or serve open-faced, with lemon wedges for squeezing over.
Tips
- Soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain well. It mellows the sharpness and keeps the onion crisp.
- Cold-smoked salmon is silky and mild, while hot-smoked salmon is flaky and firmer. Either works, but cold-smoked is the traditional choice for bagels.
Questions and answers
Can I make the whipped cream cheese ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps in the fridge for 4 days. Let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes and stir before using.
What can I use instead of capers?
Chopped pickles, pickled red onions or thin radish slices give a similar sharp contrast. Capers are salty, so go easy on added salt if you use them.
Can I serve smoked salmon bagels for a crowd?
Yes. Set out toasted bagels, whipped cream cheese and toppings in separate bowls and let everyone build their own. Allow one bagel and about 50 g (2 oz) of salmon per person.
How long does it take to make Smoked Salmon Bagels with Whipped Cream Cheese?
About 13 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 3 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Smoked Salmon Bagels with Whipped Cream Cheese?
About 465 kcal per serving, with 22 g of protein, 52 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 465 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1070 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
