Savory Cream Cheese Spreads / Schmear
Schmear is defined as anything that can be spread (usually a fat or butter). Typically, this refers to a cream cheese spread for a bagel. This posting is for Savory Cream Cheese Spreads/Schmear. I will post another one for Sweet Cream Cheese Spreads/Schmear at a later date.
How much schmear do you need for a dozen bagels? Estimates range from 1 to 1 ½ pounds for a good artisan bagel. Bagel stores typically give between 0.7 ounces to a whopping 3.9 ounces per bagel. At 100 calories per ounce, less is more. You simply need enough to enjoy the taste of the bagel you are eating.
Below, I have given you recipes for some of the more popular cream cheese spreads. Plain cream cheese on a bagel is always good, but here is a way to make breakfast memorable.
These Savory Cream Cheese Spreads are quick and easy to make. You can make just your favorite or have a bagel bar with a variety of spreads for a family breakfast or brunch. You can also lower the calories by using a low-fat cream cheese.
Plain Cream Cheese – So simple, spread your cream cheese and sprinkle with a little salt and freshly cracked pepper.
Flavored Cream Cheese Spreads/Schmear
- Bacon and Scallion
- Dill and Scallion
- Garden Vegetable (Scallions, Red Pepper, Celery, Onion, Chives)
- Garlic Herb (Parsley, Chive, Dill an Chervil)
- Pimento Olive
- Chive and Onion
- Smoked Salmon
- Nacho Salsa
Here are a few ways to turn your bagel and schmear into an open face sandwich.
- Add a fried or scrambled eggs to the bacon and scallion spread.
- Top your dill and onion schmear with sliced cucumbers.
- Add some ham on top of the olive pimento spread.
You can make these ahead of time and store in the refrigerator.
A note on freezing – The texture of the cream cheese will change. It becomes more crumbly and less creamy, so freezing, is not recommended. Additionally, the Smoked Salmon recipe should not be frozen as the other ingredients in the spread like sour cream, would not freeze well.
Try these recipes and let me know what you think. Get creative with your own favorite combinations. The possibilities are endless. Did you create a new open face sandwich? I would love to hear about it.
[lt_recipe name=”Bacon and Scallion Cream Cheese Spread” servings=”6-8″ print=”yes” ingredients=”8 oz cream cheese, softened;8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled;6 scallions, finely sliced (white part only)” ]Soften the cream cheese. I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.;;Add the cooked and crumbled bacon and finely sliced scallions.;;Mix thoroughly.;;Chill for 1 hour before serving to get the flavors to blend.;;[/lt_recipe]
[lt_recipe name=”Dill and Scallion Cream Cheese Spread” servings=”6-8″ print=”yes” ingredients=”8 oz cream cheese, softened;2 Tablespoons fresh dill, chopped;6 scallions, finely sliced;1/2 teaspoon lemon juice;pinch kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper” ]Soften the cream cheese. I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.;;Add the dill, scallions, lemon juice and kosher salt and pepper.;;Mix thoroughly.;;Chill for 1 hour before serving to get the flavors to blend.;;[/lt_recipe]
[lt_recipe name=”Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread” servings=”6-8″ print=”yes” ingredients=”8 oz cream cheese, softened;2 Tablespoons onions,small dice;2 Tablespoons red peppers, small dice;1 stalk celery, finely sliced;1 teaspoon carrot, finely minced;6 scallions, finely sliced (white part only);Pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper” ]Soften the cream cheese. I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.;;Add the prepped vegetables, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.;;Mix thoroughly.;;Chill for 1 hour before serving to get the flavors to blend.;;[/lt_recipe]
[lt_recipe name=”Garlic Herb Cheese Spread” servings=”6-8″ print=”yes” ingredients=”8 oz cream cheese, softened;2 Tablespoons parsley, finely chopped;2 Tablespoons chives,finely chopped;1 Tablespoon dill, finely chopped;1/2 teaspoon dried chervil” ]Soften the cream cheese. I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.;;Add the prepped herbs and garlic.;;Mix thoroughly.;;Chill for 1 hour before serving to get the flavors to blend.;;[/lt_recipe]
[lt_recipe name=”Pimento Olive Cheese Spread” servings=”6-8″ print=”yes” ingredients=”8 oz cream cheese, softened;3 ounces pimento cheese;2.25 ounces black olives, sliced” ]Soften the cream cheese. I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.;;Add the pimento cheese and sliced olives.;;Mix thoroughly.;;Chill for 1 hour before serving to get the flavors to blend.;;[/lt_recipe]
[lt_recipe name=”Onion Chive Cheese Spread” servings=”6-8″ print=”yes” ingredients=”8 oz cream cheese, softened;1 ounce onions, finely minced;2 Tablespoons chives, finely minced” ]Soften the cream cheese. I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.;;Add the onions and chives.;;Mix thoroughly.;;Chill for 1 hour before serving to get the flavors to blend.;;[/lt_recipe]
[lt_recipe name=”Smoked Salmon Cheese Spread” servings=”6-8″ print=”yes” ingredients=”8 oz cream cheese, softened;4 ounces smoked salmon;1 teaspoon prepared horseradish, drained;1 teaspoon lemon juice;1 teaspoon dill, minced;pinch freshly ground pepper” ]Soften the cream cheese. I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.;;Add the remaining ingredients.;;Mix thoroughly with a mixer or a small food processor.;;Chill for 1 hour before serving to get the flavors to blend.;;[/lt_recipe]
[lt_recipe name=”Nacho Salsa Cheese Spread” servings=”6-8″ print=”yes” ingredients=”8 oz cream cheese, softened;2 ounce thick and chunky salsa;1 ounce finely shredded Mexican Cheese;1 ounce black olives, sliced;1 teaspoon cilantro, finely minced” ]Soften the cream cheese. I put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.;;Add the salsa, black olives and cilantro.;;Mix thoroughly.;;Chill for 1 hour before serving to get the flavors to blend.;;[/lt_recipe]