Spring Brunch Smoked Salmon (Printable Version)

A colorful spread of smoked salmon, assorted bagels, cream cheese, and fresh garnishes for sharing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bagels

01 - 6 assorted bagels (plain, sesame, everything, or choice), sliced

→ Spreads

02 - 10.5 oz plain cream cheese, softened
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Fish

07 - 10.5 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced

→ Vegetables & Garnishes

08 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 1 large ripe tomato, thinly sliced
10 - 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
11 - 1 avocado, sliced
12 - 1/4 cup capers, drained
13 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
14 - Fresh dill sprigs, for garnish
15 - Fresh chives, for garnish

→ Optional Additions

16 - 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
17 - Radishes, thinly sliced
18 - Baby arugula or mixed greens

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, blend softened cream cheese with chopped chives, dill, lemon juice, and black pepper until smooth and fluffy. Transfer to a serving bowl.
02 - Arrange the sliced bagels on a large serving board or platter in an organized pattern.
03 - Fold or roll smoked salmon slices and arrange them attractively across the board.
04 - Neatly group red onion, tomato, cucumber, avocado, and optional additions in sections around the board.
05 - Distribute capers and lemon wedges across the board, then garnish with fresh dill sprigs and chives.
06 - Place the whipped cream cheese bowl on the board and serve immediately, allowing guests to assemble their own bagels.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero cooking means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of sweating over a stove.
  • Everyone finds exactly what they want on the board, so you're not fielding dietary questions all morning.
  • It looks effortlessly fancy, which is the best kind of magic in entertaining.
02 -
  • Don't slice your avocado more than fifteen minutes before serving unless you want it turning that sad, oxidized shade of brown that screams sad and lonely.
  • The cream cheese gets firmer as it sits, so if you're making it ahead, whip it extra fluffy and add a splash of milk to keep it spreadable.
03 -
  • Use a really good quality smoked salmon if you can—it's the star of the show and cheaper versions taste vaguely plastic and sad.
  • Chill your serving board in the freezer for fifteen minutes before arranging if you're worried about ingredients wilting; it keeps everything fresher longer.
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