Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Bagel, Pita or Croissant

Looking for a simple sandwich recipe that provides amazing taste and flavor? Let me introduce you to Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Bagel. One of the finest recipes out there that be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

If a smoked salmon fan club existed, me and my family would be proud members! No matter how it's served, smoked salmon is always welcome in my home. One of the most delicious ways of eating smoked salmon is with a cream cheese mixture topped with capers in between a hearty bagel. Maybe not one of the most exciting sandwich recipes, but it's truly one of the most flavorful and enjoyable ones out there! 

Smoked salmon cream cheese bagels are mostly reserved for weekends in our house. And brunch being a hybrid of breakfast and lunch, it's a leisurely way of  kick starting our day and giving us the energy to power through the rest of it.  

Delicious and satisfying, these smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels feed not only the belly, but feed the heart.

A classic comfort sandwich recipe, lox and cream cheese bagels are served in many high-end restaurants in America and around the world. Picture yourself sipping tea with your pinky in the air and indulging in this wonderful sandwich. Feels like something the royals would do. Take a bite and enjoy the moment!

Smoked Salmon on Bagel

Once I caught my son picking and eating the smoked salmon off the bagel and licking the cream cheese. My husband and I got a kick out of watching him. When I asked him why he was doing this, he said the bagel was too chewy and his mouth hurt, but the stuff in between was just too good to pass up on. The bagel was too much for his little mouth.

There's a lot of bread in bagels and they can be a bit doughy sometimes. From then on, we ate smoked salmon and cream cheese on thinner bagels, pita and croissants. 

Bagels are lovely in my opinion and is the most traditional way of serving this smoked salmon, cream cheese mixture. And there are a variety to choose from.

What are Bagels?

Bagels are bread, circular in shape and made with simple ingredients like water, yeast, salt, flour, malt and at times with eggs. The dough is boiled, then baked until a beautiful gold, caramel color. 

Without delving too much into the bagel's history, it began in central Europe although more notably among the Jewish community in Poland around 1610. Bagels gained significant popularity in North America and became quite trendy in New York where the infamous lox, cream cheese, tomato and caper sandwich was born.

Types of Bagels

Plain is always good and same goes for whole wheat and pumpernickel. Some people want the pure flavorful experience of what's in between the bagel. Others prefer to enhance the taste with various types of bagels like:

• Sesame seed
• Everything
• Onion 
• Cheese 
• Poppy seed
• French Toast
• Egg

With just 10 minutes of prep time, you might consider this to be one of the best smoked salmon recipes there is. Four ingredients is all it takes to make this simple, easy and delicious smoked salmon on a bagel. It gets my vote, hands down.

While this recipe calls for store-bought bagels, if you've got the time and ambition, you can make your own. Time is not always a luxury for me, so I opt for bagels the store has to offer. Again, there's a lot to choose from as you can see from the above list. 

When the craving for smoked salmon and cream cheese on a bagel hits, store bought bagels are the easiest and fastest way to go.

In whatever way you like to eat your bagel with this smoked salmon bagel recipe is totally up to you. Some people toast them; while others put them in the microwave so they're nice and chewy.

Scoop out the dough of the bagel and make a well or ring. Fill it with this delightful cream cheese mixture and smoked salmon and you've got one top notch sandwich!

Ingredients Needed To Make This Smoked Salmon Bagel

• Smoked salmon, sliced or chopped
• Bagels (we like to make them bite-size and use mini bagels)
• Cream cheese
• Capers (optional)

That's literally all you need to make a great tasting sandwich! Bagels can be any size or shape you want. After all, it's what holds together all that creamy cheese and smoked salmon goodness.

Book ending these ingredients with pita or croissant and you've got a sandwich with a slightly different twist and some swagger. More on these later.  

Is smoked salmon raw?

As long as it's hot smoked salmon, it's not raw. Many people think it is because of how it looks. It's been smoked and once you take a bite, you'll be able to taste that smokiness and know it's true.

If the salmon is cold smoked, then it's going to be raw and that's something to be aware of.

How do you eat smoked salmon?

Actually, there are a lot of ways to enjoy smoked salmon. Like on this bagel for example! And if you don't have or care for bagels, use chips, crackers, and or other types of bread.

Roll smoked salmon up, place them on a charcuterie board and serve with other meats and cheeses. Delightful!

Do you eat smoked salmon hot or cold?

Eat it hot or cold; whatever you prefer. With bagels, the smoked salmon is more than likely going to be cold. But if you want it hot, warm it up slowly on the stove or in the oven.

Be careful not to overheat it, as it will cook and make the texture tough.

What cheese goes with smoked salmon?

Due to the texture and the flavor of the salmon, soft cheeses are your best bet. Spreadable cream cheese has the ideal consistency and is easy to pair with.

That doesn't mean you can't use other types of cheese though. Feta cheese is also a great choice, but since it's a bit more crumbly, the texture is going to be different. Same goes for cottage cheese, cheese curds, mascarpone and goat cheese. Just be aware of how it will hold together and how well it goes with smoked salmon.

Again, for consistency sake, I always choose cream cheese. 

Different flavors of cream cheese

Plain cream cheese with smoked salmon is guaranteed to be good every single time. No question. Go beyond the boundaries of plain and try different flavors. Here are just a few:

• Jalapeno
• Chive and onion
• Herb and garlic
• Chipotle
• Pizza
• Dill 

Can I freeze smoked salmon?

You bet! If you have more smoked salmon than you can eat at one time, there's nothing wrong with putting it in the freezer to enjoy later.

Keeps it fresh and ready for the next time you're wanting to serve it.

What is the difference between lox and smoked salmon?

Smoked salmon is typically cured before it's smoked, while lox is cured but isn't smoked. Makes sense, right?

Lox salmon has a bit of a richer flavor and the taste tends to be a bit more saltier too.

Why is smoked salmon so good for you?

Salmon is such a good protein to add to your diet! Loaded with essential vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, it helps reduce the risk of disease associated with the heart and brain. Given that salmon is high in protein, it assists in controlling appetite which can translate into weight loss or maintenance. Bonus!

People that consume more salmon have a tendency to cut down on other meats that are potentially higher in fat and calories.

The downside of smoked salmon is that it has a high sodium content. So, if you're watching your salt intake, fresh salmon is best.

Whether on the hunt for the perfect appetizer or just looking for a great sandwich to power through the day or eat on the go, these simple smoked salmon bagels are the perfect answer. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a sandwich that is truly delicious.

Keeping with the salmon theme, there's no shortage of salmon recipes. Here are more salmon recipes I think you might enjoy.

More Salmon Recipes

• Cheesy Tuna or Salmon Pasta Casserole
• Simple Salmon Cakes
• Easy Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
• Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Bagel, Pita or Croissant
• How to Make Smoked Salmon
• Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Dip

I've definitely been obsessing over pita and naan bread lately. Experimenting with different combinations, I've been driving my husband and son crazy because they haven't all been successes. They're very vocal over the failings.

But that's how you learn, right? The main thing is having some fun while creating. 

One of my achievements is this Bruschetta Feta Naan Pizza and it's one my husband's favorite's. Mine is Spinach or Kale and Feta or Goat Cheese Naan Pizza.

Leave me your comments below. I would love to hear what you come up with!

 

How to make Creamy Smoked Salmon on a Pita

There's no getting away from it. Smoked salmon and cream cheese are meant to be together. Full stop. Knowing how to make creamy smoked salmon on a pita is as easy as putting it on a bagel.

Trying to consume less bread as I get older is a challenge. When craving smoked salmon and cream cheese, putting it on pita bread solves my problem. Using pita bread on a regular basis is something I should have started years ago, but better late than never!

Pita bread comes from the Mediterranean world. Being lower in calories than other breads, it has protein and certain amounts of B vitamins and antioxidants.

All you need is:

• 8 ounces smoked salmon, approximately
• ¼ cup of cream cheese (flavored or plain) or more or less to taste
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon milk
• handful of baby spinach or baby kale
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, lemon juice and milk together.
2. Spread over top of the pita, as evenly as possible, leaving a ½ inch border (approximately).
3. Add a layer of spinach, kale and green onions.
4. Finish with smoked salmon and serve immediately.

Putting this creamy smoked salmon mixture together on a pita is, well, just a dream! Enjoy!

Ramp up the flavor with chipotle or garlic mayo. The type of mayo flavors you can get now are wonderful.

Make this sandwich as big or as small as you like and it will taste delicious and light every time! Add cucumber, dill or more onion with a dab of extra mayo and you've elevated this sandwich to a whole new level!

How to make Smoked Salmon and Egg Croissant

Who doesn't love a croissant?  This crescent shaped pastry is so flaky and buttery, marrying it with smoked salmon and egg is dynamite! 

• smoked salmon
• cream cheese
• hard boiled eggs (one per sandwich)
• onion (white, purple, sweet or green)
• cucumber
• dill
• mayo

Depending on the size of the croissant, these sandwiches can be as big or as small as you want. What's important is how perfect these flavors blend together so the ingredients are a guide only.

Use enough cream cheese to cover one inside half of the croissant; usually the bottom half.

Mayo gets smeared on the inside of the top half and set aside.

Cover the cream cheese half with smoked salmon.

Sliced eggs go next. One large egg per sandwich.

Add onion slices, as much or as little as you like.

Cucumber goes on next; about 5 slices.

Add fresh dill.

Crown it with the top half of the croissant and you've just built one gorgeous sandwich!

Serve and enjoy!

What to serve with Smoked Salmon Sandwiches

Smoked salmon cream cheese sandwiches are so hearty and satisfying, they can stand alone all by themselves. But serving them with a little something on the side isn't a bad idea.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Potato chips
• Sweet Peppers (sliced)
• Salad
• Pickles
• Radishes 
• Olives 
• Persian cucumbers
• Zucchini slices

Thanks for coming on this smoked salmon journey with me. Until next time!