Veggie De-luxe Recipe

Name: Wise Sons Jewish Deli 24th Streets VEGGIE DE-LUXE Recipe
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 each large plain bagels (split); 2 tsp butter or olive oil (for toasting); 6 oz plain cream cheese (full-fat or light); 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt; 1 tsp fresh dill, finely chopped; 1 tsp chives, finely chopped; 1 tsp lemon juice; 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/8 tsp garlic powder); 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil; 2 tbsp grated carrot (optional — for color/texture); 2 tbsp finely grated cucumber (seeds removed, optional); 1 cup salted cucumber (thinly sliced; see note); 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced; 1 cup hippie greens (mixed baby greens: arugula, baby kale, spinach); 1 tbsp capers (drained); 0 to taste freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Inspired by Wise Sons Jewish Deli 24th Street

Time25m

Serves2

Veggie shmear, salted cucumber, red onion, hippie greens, & capers served on a toasted bagel

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Ingredients

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Bagel & assembly

2 each large plain bagels (split)

2 tsp butter or olive oil (for toasting)

Veggie shmear (spread)

6 oz plain cream cheese (full-fat or light)

2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt

1 tsp fresh dill, finely chopped

1 tsp chives, finely chopped

1 tsp ReaLemon lemon juice

1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/8 tsp garlic powder)

1 tsp Celtic sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

2 tbsp grated carrot (optional — for color/texture)

2 tbsp finely grated cucumber (seeds removed, optional)

Toppings

1 cup salted cucumber (thinly sliced; see note)

1 small red onion, very thinly sliced

1 cup hippie greens (mixed baby greens: arugula, baby kale, spinach)

1 tbsp capers (drained)

0 to taste freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Method

Bagel & assembly

toast bagels

Split the two bagels in half. Spread 1 tsp butter or brush 1 tsp olive oil on each cut side. Toast in a skillet over medium heat (2–3 minutes per side) or in a toaster oven until golden and lightly crisp. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

Assemble just before serving: spread the veggie shmear on both toasted bagel halves, then layer toppings as directed below and serve open-faced or closed.

Veggie shmear (spread)

prepare vegetables

If using fresh cucumber for the grated option, peel a small cucumber, remove seeds with a spoon, grate the flesh, then squeeze gently in a paper towel to remove excess moisture (important to avoid a runny shmear). Grate carrot if using.

make the shmear

In a medium bowl, combine 6 oz cream cheese (softened), 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt, 1 tsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp chopped chives, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp olive oil, and the grated carrot and/or cucumber if using. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Mix thoroughly with a spatula until smooth and spreadable. Taste and adjust salt, lemon, or herbs as needed. Chill briefly (5–10 minutes) if you prefer a firmer consistency.

Portion: divide the shmear roughly between the four bagel halves (about 1.5 oz/45 g per half).

Toppings

prepare salted cucumber

If using fresh cucumbers rather than pre-salted: thinly slice 1 small cucumber into rounds. Toss slices with 1/2 tsp fine salt and let sit in a colander for 5–10 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat dry and reserve any liquid or discard. This yields 'salted cucumber' texture and flavor.

prepare onions & greens

Peel and very thinly slice 1 small red onion. If desired, soak the slices in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow sharpness, then drain and pat dry. Rinse and spin or pat 1 cup mixed baby greens dry.

assemble toppings

On each toasted bagel half spread a thick layer (about 1.5 oz) of veggie shmear. Top with a handful of hippie greens (about 1/4 cup per half), arrange salted cucumber slices evenly (about 2–3 slices per half), add a few thin red onion rings, and sprinkle 1/2 tbsp capers over each assembled bagel (divide total capers between bagels). Finish with a crack of freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Serve immediately while bagel is still warm and shmear chilled. Optionally serve with lemon wedge on the side.