A lox bagel can be customized with different types of bagels, smoked salmon, and toppings like cream cheese, onions, capers, and lettuce. It can be served as a sandwich or an appetizer.
A lox bagel can come in many forms, depending on the tastes of the person eating it, the occasion it’s being served, and the ingredients available. At its simplest, a smoked salmon bagel is a split bagel – a heavy ring of dough that is boiled before being baked – that has cream cheese spread on one side which is then topped with several thin slices of smoked salmon . The type of salmon or the flavor of the bagel, such as using a rye bagel or just fresh sliced lox, can be important. Many times, a smoked salmon bagel will include complementary toppings such as sliced red onions, capers, tomatoes or mustard greens. A simple smoked salmon bagel can also have ingredients like lettuce, pickles, and sour cream piled on top to make a filling sandwich appropriate for any time of day.
One of the most important parts of a lox bagel is the bagel itself. A plain bagel can be used, although pumpernickel is also a popular choice. Other types, such as onion, salt, or so-called “whole” bagels, can be served to provide more flavor. Depending on your taste, the bagel can be toasted or left cool.
The smoked salmon used is usually cut into very thin pieces which are stacked on top of the bagel. Pre-sliced chilled salmon can be used, although some people prefer freshly sliced smoked salmon that is cut to order. Either way, the amount used can range from one or two thin pieces to a large sandwich-like pile.
The final component of a classic smoked salmon bagel is cream cheese. This is usually just cream cheese. Occasionally, however, flavored cream cheeses such as shallot cream, vegetable cream, or sun-dried tomato cream are placed on the bagel to add some nutrition, color, or flavor to the sandwich.
Traditional toppings for a smoked salmon bagel are thinly sliced red onion for sweetness, capers for salt, and sometimes cucumbers to add fresh flavor and a little freshness. Romaine lettuce, arugula, parsley, dill, tomatoes, and pickles also make their way onto these bagels, especially when the bagel is eaten as a lunch sandwich. In general, however, the toppings placed on the bagel are light and intended to complement the flavor of the smoked salmon instead of overpowering it.
When served, a smoked salmon bagel can be placed on a plate as a closed sandwich. It can also be presented open-faced, with the salmon and a sprig of parsley on the top layer. When used as an appetizer, the bagel can be cut into chunks and eaten as bite-sized triangles.
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