A certain upcoming day for dads is the perfect occasion Dad to go big. Head out to the grocery and make a gourmet feast of bagels and the goodies that go with them. I’m proposing that a fun brunch with fruit, bagels and lots of different types of toppings followed up by an awesome gift of your presence for the day is the best gift any dad could ask for. Oh by the way, going with him to a movie or golf or mowing the lawn or cleaning out your closet like you promised when you moved out nine years ago wouldn’t hurt either.
Making is better than buying the way-too-expensive store bought stuff when it comes to cream cheese spread because a) You are proving your parents wrong; you did not starve when you moved out of the house because you refused to learn to cook when you were a kid. b) Almost nothing says, “I love you” more to a man than providing a gift they can eat (please don’t email me that I’m wrong on this, both my sons told me so). c) You’re paying for it with your own money and, hey, parents always love that you’re financially independent (or as close to it as possible).
Get the freshest bagels you can—so skip the frozen ones if possible. You can use the low fat variety but truly the full fat is the best. Toppings can be smoked salmon, smoked white fish, caviar, chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and whatever else daddy likes. The following recipes can each be whipped up in about 5 minutes
VEGGI SPREAD (dairy)
1 small red onion, minced
1 carrot, peeled and shredded
1 cup chopped fresh spinach
1 teaspoon mince garlic
1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
salt and pepper
1 to 2 teaspoons dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh
In the bowl of a food processor combine the dill, onion, spinach, carrot, garlic, water chestnuts. Process just to combine. Add the mayonnaise and cream cheese and process to combine. Season to taste. Makes 2 cups
Modified from yummly.com
SMOKED TROUT SPREAD (dairy)
12 oz package cream cheese
6 to 8 oz smoked trout, flaked
2 tablespoons ground pecans
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Sliced black olives to garnish
Lemon slices to garnish
Do not make this in a food processor. Combine all the ingredients in a glass bowl and mix to combine. Garnish with olive slices and lemon slices. Makes 1 1/2 cup.
My file source unknown
CHERRY LIME NUT SPREAD (dairy)
1 cup dried cherries
1 cup water
two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
Salt and pepper
In a small heavy saucepan combine the cherries and water. Simmer until the liquid is reduced to about 1 tablespoon. Do not boil. Remove pan from heat and cool mixture.
In a bowl of an electric mixer combine the cream cheese, pecans, lime juice, thyme, zest, cherry mixture. Mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste until spread is combined well. This can be made 2 days ahead and kept chilled, covered. Makes 2 cups.
Modified from epicurious.com
SEAFOOD SPREAD (dairy)
6 green onions
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 pound smoked whitefish, flaked
1/2 pound smoked salmon
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon drained white horseradish
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire or soy sauce, or to taste
salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
In the bowl of a food processer combine the green onions and garlic. Pulse once, add the cream cheese and sour cream and pulse just until combined. Add the horseradish, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne. Pulse to combine. Add the whitefish and salmon and pulse just to combine, do not over mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Makes 2 cups.
Modified from about.com
HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE SPREAD (dairy)
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup Hershey’s Syrup
2 teaspoons Hershey’s Cocoa
2 tablespoons Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Additional Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
In a bowl of a food processor combine the cream cheese, syrup and cocoa. Mix to combine, add the chocolate chips. Just mix to combine. Garnish with extra chocolate chips. Makes 1 cup
Modified from Hershey.com
© Eileen Goltz father’s day 14a
The words of this author reflect his/her own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Orthodox Union.