Garlic Confit Cream Cheese Bagels

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins
Servings: 2

A delightful twist on the classic cream cheese bagel with roasted garlic, herbs, and heirloom tomatoes.

Recipe Details

Quantity	Name	Preparation Notes
1	garlic bulb	slice the top off to expose cloves
250 g (9 oz)	cream cheese
1 tbsp	chives	chopped
1/2 tbsp	basil	finely chopped

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 160°C / 320°F.
Step 2: Slice the top off the garlic bulb to expose cloves. Place in an oven proof dish, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Bake for 1 hour. (Tips: Choose a dish that fits the garlic snugly to prevent oil from burning.)
Step 3: Cool garlic slightly, then squeeze roasted cloves out of their skins. (Tips: Use a napkin to hold the garlic if it's still warm.)
Step 4: In a bowl, mash roasted garlic with cream cheese, chives, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth. (Tips: For a smoother texture, use a food processor.)

Quantity	Name	Preparation Notes	Substitutions
1	heirloom tomato	sliced	truss tomato, roma tomato, cherry tomatoes
4	bagels	cut in half
as needed	olive oil	for frying and drizzling
to taste	salt
to taste	pepper

Step 1: Cut bagels in half and drizzle cut sides with olive oil. (Tips: Use a brush for even coating.)
Step 2: In a saucepan over low-medium heat, fry the bagels, olive oil side down, until golden and crispy, about 5 minutes. (Tips: Fry in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.)
Step 3: Spread a generous amount of cream cheese mixture on the bottom half of each bagel. (Tips: Using a spoon or spatula makes spreading easier.)
Step 4: Top with a slice of tomato, season with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. (Tips: Pat the tomato slice dry to prevent sogginess.)
Step 5: Cover with the other half of the bagel, cut in half and serve. (Tips: Serve immediately for best taste.)

Notes: Experiment with different herbs like parsley or dill for variations on the flavor profile.