Lox & Bagel Recipe
Cream Cheese, Capers, Sliced Tomatoes and Sliced Red Onions
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Ingredients
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Bagels & Spreads
Fish & Garnishes
Method
Bagels & Spreads
- 1
Prepare bagels
Split the 2 bagels in half and toast them lightly (about 2–3 minutes) until they are golden and slightly crisp. If you like butter, spread 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter on each cut half while still warm so it melts in. Set toasted bagel halves on a plate.
- 2
Spread cream cheese
Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for 10 minutes (if time allows) so it’s easy to spread. Use about 1 tablespoon cream cheese per bagel half (6 tablespoons total) and spread an even layer on each toasted half.
Fish & Garnishes
- 3
Prepare vegetables
Peel the red onion half and slice it very thinly into rings or half-rings (about 1–2 mm thick). Place slices in a small bowl of cold water and let sit 5 minutes to mellow sharpness, then drain and pat dry. Slice the tomato into 1/4-inch thick rounds and season lightly with a pinch of salt if desired.
- 4
Arrange lox
Divide the 8 oz of lox evenly among the 4 toasted bagel halves (about 2 oz per whole bagel or 1 oz per half). Fold or layer the smoked salmon slices loosely over the cream cheese so they drape attractively.
- 5
Add capers and onion
Scatter about 1/2 tablespoon capers on each whole bagel (total 2 tbsp). Distribute the drained red onion slices evenly across the bagel halves so each bite has some onion. If you prefer smaller pieces, break the rings into strips before adding.
- 6
Top with tomato and finishing touches
Place one or two tomato slices on each assembled half (use remaining tomato slices as desired). Squeeze the juice of half a lemon lightly over all bagel halves (about 1/2 lemon total) to brighten flavor. Finish with a light sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper (about 1/4 tsp per bagel total) and, if using, a few chopped sprigs of fresh dill (about 1 tbsp total).
- 7
Serve
Serve immediately while bagels are still slightly warm. Provide extra cream cheese, capers, lemon wedges, or sliced onions on the side if desired.
