Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, and Capers Bagel

This open-faced smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel is a great breakfast or brunch offering. Most grocery stores sell presliced smoked salmon and cream cheese, which makes this recipe a snap to put together and even easier to serve.

Salmon that has been smoked means it has undergone a process of curing and has been hot- or cold-smoked. Due to its moderately high price, smoked salmon is considered a delicacy.

The smoking process is used to protect salmon against microorganisms that can encourage spoilage. During the process, the fish is salt-cured and partially dehydrated, which impedes the activity of bacteria. Bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum, which can sometimes be present in seafood, are killed by the high heat treatment that occurs during the hot-smoking process. The high salt content prevents the growth of microorganisms.

Other ingredients that go well with the smoked salmon bagel are fresh herbs such as dill or chives. You can add a few thin slices of tomatoes or cucumbers. Another variation on this popular bagel combination includes avocados.

This recipe is great for brunch gatherings and bridal or baby showers because you can turn the assembly process into a bagel bar, which allows your guests to build their own bagels. It is relatively easy to set up and requires no cooking; try to buy fresh bagels the morning of the party for optimal freshness. Bagel bars also aren't season-dependent; this entertaining approach can work all year round. If you think you might have gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan guests, you can accommodate them easily by buying a few gluten-free bagels and offering toppings that are dairy free, such as tofu-based spreads or hummus. And if you've got guests who aren't fans of smoked salmon, they can simply skip that ingredient and customize the bagel to their liking.