National Bagel Day - Recipes

Time to get Schmeared on National Bagel Day!

I never had a Bagel when I lived in Louisiana and Texas as a youth, but now you can get them there in almost any coffee shop, fast food joint, and larger grocery stores. 

Bagels are boiled and then baked to create a crunchy surface and chewy interior. They go back to the 17 century in Jewish communities of Poland.

My wife, Linda, grew up a half-hour from New York City, the capital of Bagels. I got a crash course there when we visited her family. 

I never realized the different types of Bagels out there. Just look at the list from a NYC Bagel shop called Ess-a-Bagel. Can't say I really have a favorite, but I do lean toward an Onion Bagel.

A Bagel I had no idea about is the Everything Bagel, like, what makes it "Everything?" Well, I found "Everything" can come in a plastic shaker at the Dollar Tree. for $1.25.

Reading the ingredients list, it's comprised of poppy and sesame seeds plus other dried seasonings like salt, garlic, and onion. I guess you can make anything "Everything" with this shaker, Hmmm...Everything Scrambled Eggs, Everything Pasta, and Everything Tacos?

Check out our breakfast video below at Ess-a-Bagel restaurant in NYC where they are baked on the premises and serving a dozen varieties of amazing Bagel Sandwiches!

Ess-a-Bagel - Movie

I do love a toasted Bagel in the morning, usually as a sandwich with a fried egg, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Also, you should try my simple breakfast recipe of Scrambled Eggs & Caramelized Onions served on a slice of toasted Bagel. A Bagel for breakfast gets the job done to get you out the door...or at least out of bed.

A classic Bagel preparation is slathering Cream Cheese on a toasted Bagel. Philadelphia Cream Cheese is the best, but I've tried cheaper Cream Cheese Blends to use in a pinch.

I prefer Bagel and Cream Cheese with a slice of onion and a fat slice of tomato. Nothing to it really as my video below will show.

In past film commercial shoots the Non-kosher Cameraman /Chef was quick to line up for a catered breakfast; going past the multitude of sugary pastry confections and heading straight for Bagels, Cream Cheese, Lox (cured salmon), sliced red onion, and tomato to build a Jewish deli kosher classic. 

You should click here to see my Homemade Lox recipe. It's really easy to do, just coat a thick slice of raw salmon in equal parts of sugar and salt, wrap in plastic, or seal in a glass container, and let it cure in the refrigerator for a couple of days (unwrap and drain liquid during curing). Finally, rinse and pat dry, that's it.

Now Lox (mildly brined, cold-cured raw salmon) is too expensive for this Chintzy Chef but canned, or soft packaged cooked salmon is a fine inexpensive substitute for a Homemade Salmon Schmear (original blog post recipe is here.) 

Some Cream Cheese comes mixed with Salmon. They are carrying Vegan Cream Cheese these days.

Drain and fold it into room-temperature softened cream cheese, lightly mix with some lemon juice and you have a spreadable feast - a Cheap$kate Salmon Schmear.

Here's my cheap$kate Salmon Schmear video below. I use salmon from the can or soft pack. Drain and blend it with room-temperature cream cheese. Couldn't be easier and cheaper to do.

Bagels still turn up in the bread bargain bin of Ralphs Supermarket, and Dollar Tree has them from time to time.

A Salmon Schmear is also a delicious party dip, just set out your preferred cracker, pita, or toasted wedges of Bagel. This kosher morning starter is a Chef's favorite; right up there with McDonald's decidedly non-kosher sausage and egg, syrup-filled pancake sandwich "McGriddle".

Ingredients (serves 2 - 4)

• 8 oz. package of cream cheese (Philadelphia Cream Cheese is kosher.)
• 3 oz. small package or can of cooked salmon (Pillar Rock salmon brand is kosher.)
• Sliced tomato and onion (preferably red onion - for this recipe I used a yellow onion.)
• 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice (optional.)
• Bagels

Directions

Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature. Drain salmon and mix it into cream cheese. You can use less cream cheese for a fishier version.

Add a teaspoon of lemon or lime juice. Mix lightly for a chunky spread.

Toast bagel then add Salmon Schmear with tomato and sliced onion.

Blueberry Bagels are somewhat controversial. I like them but Linda despises them - won't go near them.

Hey, we have to agree to disagree, I like them toasted with a smear of butter.

Best Cheap$kate Food Finds of 2024

 It's back to basics in this roundup of my Best Cheap$kate Food Finds of 2024. That doesn't mean you won't find a few outrageously one-of-a-kind cheap deals that I crow about. Prices are slowly going down this year. So go ahead and read 'em and reap (the savings, that is!).

I scour grocer mail flyers for weekly specials at my nearby chain grocery store Ralphs, especially during holidays when I stock up on for-sale meat to freeze, and walk to my local Latin Market for cheaper produce like avocados, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and fresh Salsa. 

I luckily have a Dollar Tree within walking distance. It's not easy being a cheap$kate, I do work at it and enjoy sharing my frugal finds with you, and maybe giving my visitors a few recipe ideas using everyday discount food.

And be sure to click on any highlighted recipe name to see the original tasty blog post recipe.

I like to hit the bargain bins at Ralphs, my local grocer. They have a discount shelf with half-price pies, loaves of bread, pastries, and even hamburger and hot dog buns. Often the bread is still soft, but if not then toasting it will work. For desserts I usually heat a slice of pie or croissant for a minute, anyway.

At the end of the chilling meat and seafood sections, they have shrimp, fish, steaks, sausage, turkey pieces, bacon, etc. at reduced prices due to approaching expiration dates. I go by smell and color before purchasing anything. If the meat is still red, not gray or pale, and the odor is not sour or pungent, then I'll go for it.

Lately, Ralphs has weekday $6 deals. I go for a Thursday whole Roast Chicken, Wednesday Fried Chicken (8 pieces of legs and thighs), and Monday whole Frozen Pizza.  

Chicken is still cheap and I get mine from Superior, my local Latin grocer. Beef is expensive so I came up with a budget spin on Beef Stroganoff I call Chicken Stoganoff.

The Dollar Tree has single-serving Pizzas that I will indulge in from time to time. I'll usually add a few sliced black olives and an anchovy or two.

Superior, my local Latin market has the best deals for fruit and veggies. Avocados, potatoes, and lettuce are all around 99 cents...or less!

I make Stir Fry with frozen veggies I get from the Dollar Tree. I also get Asian bottled sauces. Of course, they usually carry Ramen and frozen Egg Rolls.

The holidays have the best deals. St. Patrick's Day look for whole Corned Beef at its cheapest of the year. Cabbage is dirt cheap, too. I have a delicious Easy Corned Beef recipe.

Thanksgiving and Christmas is the time of Turkey and Ham sales. Canned Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, and boxes of Stuffing are at their cheapest on the holidays.

The price is right in Louisiana during the holidays. A whole Turkey for less than a dollar a pound can be found. I was in Gonzales, Louisiana for Thanksgiving and the the talk of the town was Rouses Grocers selling "Get a free Turkey with the purchase of a Ham." I jumped on that deal. And for a few days, Sweet Potatoes were 29c per pound. 

Even normally expensive cooked and peeled Crawfish was half price at $3.99 per 12 ounces. I have a basic Roast Turkey with Stuffing that I think you will enjoy. No matter what State you're in keep abreast of your local deals during the holidays.

I still find a lot of great deals at my local Dollar Tree just check them out below. I'm a fan of cans and small packages of cooked fish. Check out my Pasta with Sardines recipe.

I make my Mexican dishes with Corn and Flour Tortillas. Canned Beans are always in the shelves. A favorite Mexican breakfast is Huevos Rancheros, a fried egg on refried beans and a tortilla topped with cheese, slices of avocado, and salsa...soooo goooood. I like Homemade Pinto Beans, but Canned Beans are fine.

I buy milk and plant-based milk from Dollar Tree. They sell containers that do not need refrigeration until they are opened.

Dried Pasta, Tomato Sauce, Pasta Sauce, Black Olives, Dried Herbs, and Dried Parmesan come cheaply. Check out my link for National Pasta Day to see the recipes I've created using cheap$kate ingredients. 

Dollar Tree does not sell fresh vegetables or fruit, but they do carry frozen and canned produce.

Here is the best of the rest.

Keep checking back for my great cheap$kate finds in the new year.

Happy bargain hunting in 2025!