Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Bagel Bar

Ingredients

• 4 everything bagels, sliced and toasted
• 8 oz cold-smoked salmon, thinly sliced
• 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, roughly chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
• 1 small shallot, finely minced
• 2 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced into rings
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• Flaky sea salt and cracked black pepper to finish

Steps

1. 1

   1. Beat the cream cheese and sour cream together with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light, fluffy, and billowy.

2. 2

   2. Fold in the lemon juice, lemon zest, minced shallot, and chopped dill, then season with salt and pepper; transfer to a serving bowl.

3. 3

   3. Arrange the toasted bagel halves on a large wooden board and lay the smoked salmon slices in loose folds beside them.

4. 4

   4. Set the bowl of whipped cream cheese on the board and scatter the capers, red onion rings, lemon wedges, and fresh dill sprigs around the board to fill gaps.

5. 5

   5. Serve immediately, letting guests build their own open-faced bagels with cream cheese, salmon, and toppings to taste.