Ten Bagel or Sandwich spreads

When I started writing this blog almost 4 years ago, I had no idea what it would lead to. I didn't know what kind of work was involved in maintaining it either. My thought was "I make something new almost all the time. All I have to do is take a picture, write the recipe. How big a task is this?" I forgot that with a full time job, two kids and a house to maintain topped with few other hobbies I have, it won't be easy. But, I did put in lot of effort in the beginning posting every day or every other day. Not any more.

Why? you may ask. I started writing this blog as a stress buster. I have found other stress busters that work equally or maybe even better. So, obviously this blog is kind of neglected. But, I thank those who visit regularly to read my ramblings.

Most of the people eat Bagel with cream cheese and some people like flavored ones. You cannot find many flavored ones in the store, so I make my own. Plus they are cheaper and you can control the ingredients. Obviously I cannot make all these ten at one shot and take pictures and post it (who will eat all the bagels) so here is a list with ingredients and all you have to do is mix it up well. Let your imagination and palate drive you. You can create many more.

1. Chinese style Cream Cheese Spread:
Ingredients to mix and use:
Cream Cheese - 1 8 Oz block softened
Brown Sugar - 2 TBSP
Hot sauce like Sriracha - 1/2 tsp (1 tsp for spicy version)
Soy Sauce - 1 tsp
Rice Vinegar - 1 TBSP
Salt - to taste
Cilantro - 1 TBSP chopped very fine (optional)
This is great on a sesame topped bagel in particular but goes well on plain bagels too.

2. Strawberry Cream Cheese:
Ingredients to mix and use:
Cream Cheese - 1 8 Oz block softened
Strawberry Preserve - 1/4 cup

3. Pesto Cream Cheese topping:
Ingredients to mix and use:
Cream Cheese - 1 8 Oz block softened
Home made or prepared pesto of your choice - 3 TBSP (try to drain oil if using the store bought)

4. Mint and Garlic Cream Cheese topping:
Ingredients to mix and use:
Cream Cheese - 1 8 Oz block softened
Mint leaves - Chopped very fine 2 TBSP
Garlic - minced 1 TBSP

5. Jam/Jelly Cream Cheese swirl:
Ingredients to mix and use:
Cream Cheese - 1 8 Oz block softened
Any Jam or Jelly - up to 1/4 cup
But do not mix too much so the swirls are still present.

6. Jalapeno Cream Cheese Spread:
Ingredients to mix and use:
Cream Cheese - 1 8 Oz block softened
Drained Jalapeno slices - 2 - 3 TBSP or per taste chopped very fine
Salt - to taste

7. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Cheese spread:
Ingredients to mix and use:
Cream Cheese - 1 8 Oz block softened
Smooth Peanut Butter - 1/4 cup
Chocolate Syrup - 2 - 3 TBSP
Extra: Slice banana and place them on the top of the spread on the bagel. Yummy.

8. Dill Pickled Cream Cheese spread:
Ingredients to mix and use:
Cream Cheese - 1 8 Oz block softened
Drained Dill pickle - Chopped fine 3 TBSP
Black Pepper - to taste
Salt - to taste

9. Chive or Scallion Cream Cheese Spread:
Ingredients to mix and use:
Cream Cheese - 1 8 Oz block softened
Chives or Scallions - chopped very fine 4 TBSP
Salt - to taste
Black Pepper - to taste

10. Lime and Green Chillies Cream Cheese Spread:
Ingredients to mix and use:
Cream Cheese - 1 8 Oz block softened
Green Chillies - Chopped fine 3 - 4 based on your palate
Salt - to taste
Lime zest - 2 tsp
Lime Juice - from half a lime
Cilantro - chopped fine 2 TBSP (optional)

Enjoy.