Prep time: 15 minutes | Servings: 2

Description

Elevate your brunch routine with this stunning, protein-packed smoked salmon bagel. Featuring a homemade lemon-herb cream cheese schmear, silky smoked salmon, and fresh toppings, it comes together in minutes yet looks like it came straight out of an artisanal artisan bakery.

Ingredients

For the Bagel Base:

• 2 bagels (Sesame, everything, or plain bagels work best)

• 200g (7 oz) high-quality smoked salmon

For the Lemon-Herb Cream Cheese Schmear:

• 120g (approx. 4 oz) full-fat cream cheese, softened

• 1 tsp fresh chives, finely chopped

• 1 tsp fresh dill, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)

• 1/2 tsp lemon zest

• A crack of fresh black pepper

The Toppings & Finishes:

• 1 small ripe avocado, thinly sliced

• 1/4 small red onion, peeled and sliced into paper-thin rings

• 1/2 small cucumber, shaved into ribbons using a potato peeler

• 1 tsp capers, drained and roughly chopped (optional)

• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Toast the Bagels: Slice your bagels in half and toast them until golden brown and crisp on the edges. (A hot griddle pan or toaster works wonderfully to give the bread a sturdy crunch to hold the rich fillings).

2. Mix the Schmear: In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, finely chopped chives, dill, lemon zest, and cracked black pepper. Mix with a fork or small spatula until smooth and thoroughly incorporated.

3. Build the Base: Generously spread a thick layer of the lemon-herb cream cheese onto both the top and bottom halves of the toasted bagels.

4. Layer the Greens & Veggies: Lay down a fan of sliced avocado on the bottom half, followed by the shaved cucumber ribbons and thinly sliced red onion.

5. Add the Salmon: Fold or roughly tear the smoked salmon slices and mound them generously over the vegetables.

6. The Finishing Touches: Squeeze a tiny drop of fresh lemon juice over the salmon, scatter the capers and a pinch of fresh dill across the top, and finish with a final pinch of black pepper.

7. Serve: Sandwich the top half gently down, slice in half if desired, and serve immediately alongside a hot cup of coffee or fresh juice.

Pro-Tips for Your Blog Post

• Make-Ahead Tip: You can mix the herb cream cheese up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

• Red Onion Trick: If you find raw red onions too sharp, soak your sliced rings in ice water for 10 minutes before assembling to mellow out the bite while keeping the crunch.

Author: swoosh0018

Explore • Eat • Travel • Discover Football & Sports Obcessed South Africa | Worldwide 🌎 Living Life Beyond the Ordinary Blog Thats Simply Sublimevel