The Perfect Sweet & Savory: Bacon and Scallion Cream Cheese Bagel
New York Style Bacon Scallion Cream Cheese Bagel Recipe
Experience the famous New York cream cheese bagel right in your own kitchen! This recipe elevates the classic by incorporating fragrant scallions and savory bacon, creating a delightfully sweet and salty ‘dan-jjan’ flavor profile. We’ll guide you through each step with detailed instructions and helpful tips, making it easy for anyone to follow.
Main Ingredients- 1 Bagel (your favorite type)
- 80g Cream Cheese (softened at room temperature)
- 4 strips Bacon (adjust to your preference)
- 3 Tbsp Scallions (finely chopped, primarily white parts)
- 5 stalks Chives (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp Sweetened Condensed Milk (can substitute with honey or corn syrup)
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the bagel. Carefully slice the bagel in half. Then, place it cut-side down on a dry, non-stick pan without any oil. Toast until golden brown. This step ensures a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior. (Tip: The bagel I used has spinach in it, which gives it a lovely green color!)
Step 2
While the bagel is toasting, take your cream cheese out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature until softened. This will make it much easier to mix with the other ingredients later.
Step 3
Now, let’s get the bacon ready. Finely chop the bacon strips into about 1 cm pieces. (Tip: Some recipes suggest cooking the bacon before chopping, but this can make it hard and difficult to cut. It’s much easier and safer to chop it while it’s still soft before cooking.)
Step 4
Place the chopped bacon in a dry pan over medium-low heat, without adding any oil. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and has rendered most of its fat.
Step 5
Transfer the crispy cooked bacon onto paper towels to absorb any excess grease. This will help reduce the greasiness of the final bagel and make it taste cleaner.
Step 6
Next, finely chop the scallions. Aim for small, uniform pieces. (Tip: It’s best to use the white and light green parts of the scallions, as they have a milder flavor and better texture. While some recipes call for chives, using regular scallions is a perfectly fine substitute if chives are unavailable or too expensive.)
Step 7
To add an extra layer of fragrance, we’ll also use chives. Wash about 5 stalks of chives and finely chop them. (Tip: The aromatic quality of chives complements the bacon and scallions beautifully, creating a richer flavor profile.)
Step 8
In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the drained crispy bacon, chopped scallions, chopped chives, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
Step 9
Add 1 tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk to the mixture. This adds a touch of sweetness and depth. (Tip: If you don’t have sweetened condensed milk, honey or corn syrup can be used as a substitute for a similarly delicious result.)
Step 10
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined. The cream cheese, bacon, vegetables, and condensed milk will meld together to create a flavorful filling.
Step 11
Generously spread the prepared cream cheese mixture onto one half of the toasted bagel. Be sure to apply it generously so every bite is filled with deliciousness.
Step 12
Voila! Your delicious Bacon and Scallion Cream Cheese Bagel is ready. The perfect harmony of savory bacon, creamy cheese, and aromatic scallions and chives creates that irresistible ‘sweet and salty’ (dan-jjan) taste. You won’t be able to stop at just one bite!
Step 13
(Tip: If you don’t have bagels, this cream cheese spread is also fantastic on toasted bread! It makes for a quick and tasty snack or brunch option.)
