Classic Bagels with Cream Cheese and Lox Recipe

2022-10-31

By Bagel Chef

American Cuisine

Breakfast

Enjoy a classic American breakfast with this recipe for Bagels with Cream Cheese and Lox. 

What is Bagels with Cream Cheese and Lox?

Toasted bagels are topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon, thinly sliced red onions, capers, and fresh lemon juice.

A Time Capsule About Bagels with Cream Cheese and Lox

 A popular American breakfast dish that originated in the Jewish communities of New York City. The bagel is a round, dense bread that is boiled and then baked until it has a crisp, chewy crust. Cream cheese, which originated in the United States in the late 1800s, is a smooth, spreadable cheese that is made from milk and cream. 

Jewish New Twist on an Old Classic

In the early 20th century, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe brought bagels and cream cheese to New York City. The combination of bagels, cream cheese, and lox is a staple in Jewish delis and breakfast joints throughout New York City and beyond.

Pitfalls on Bagels with Cream Cheese and Lox

 Choosing the right bagel: The perfect bagel for lox should be fresh, chewy, and slightly dense. Some people prefer plain bagels, while others prefer everything bagels with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion, and garlic. It's important to find the right balance between the bagel's flavor and the toppings.

 Picking the right lox: Lox is a cured salmon that can be sliced thinly or thickly, depending on your preference. It should be fresh and not too salty or too smoky. Some people also enjoy gravlax, which is cured with dill and sugar for a slightly sweet and herbal flavor.

 Finding the perfect cream cheese: The cream cheese is the glue that binds the flavors together. It should be smooth, creamy, and spreadable, with a mild flavor that doesn't overpower the lox. Some people prefer plain cream cheese, while others enjoy flavored ones like chive, scallion, or smoked salmon.

 Adding the toppings: Bagels with lox and cream cheese can also be topped with capers, red onions, tomato slices, cucumbers, and fresh dill for extra flavors and textures. It's important not to overload the bagel with too many toppings, as it might overpower the delicate taste of the lox.

 Assembling the sandwich: The final challenge is to assemble the sandwich without making a mess. It's recommended to cut the bagel in half and toast it lightly before adding the cream cheese and lox. Some people prefer to add the toppings on top of the cream cheese, while others place them on the lox. Whatever your preference, make sure to use a sharp knife and enjoy the perfect bite of the combination of flavors!

Ingredients

• 2 bagels

• 4 oz lox

• 4 oz cream cheese

• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

• 2 tbsp capers

• 1 lemon, sliced

• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Slice the bagels in half and toast until lightly browned.

2. Spread cream cheese on the bottom half of each bagel.

3. Top the cream cheese with lox, thinly sliced red onion, and capers.

4. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Place the top half of the bagel on the lox and serve immediately.

Preparation Time 5 min

Cook Time 5 min

Total time 10 min

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 500

Fat: 25 g

Saturated Fat: 11 g

Carbohydrates: 44 g

Fiber: 2 g

Sugar: 2 g

Protein: 30 g

Regional Ingredients Variations of Bagels with Cream Cheese and Lox

New York City, they may use a plain or sesame seed bagel and top it with scallion cream cheese, smoked salmon, and capers, creating a dish known as a "New York Bagel with Lox".

California, they may use a whole wheat bagel and top it with avocado, tomato, cream cheese, and smoked salmon, creating a dish known as a "California Bagel with Lox".

Florida, they may use a Miami-style bagel, which is smaller and flatter than a traditional bagel, and top it with cream cheese, smoked salmon, and a slice of fresh Florida orange, creating a dish known as a "Miami Bagel with Lox".

New England, they may use a blueberry or cranberry bagel and top it with honey walnut cream cheese, smoked salmon, and pickled red onions, creating a dish known as a "New England Bagel with Lox".

the Pacific Northwest, they may use a wheat or multigrain bagel and top it with herb cream cheese, smoked salmon, and fennel or dill, creating a dish known as a "Pacific Northwest Bagel with Lox".

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