Carrot Lox and Vegan Cream Cheese Bagel

Although there are very few foods I miss since changing to a plant-based lifestyle, lox is one of them. Despite not having lox in over 20 years, we recently went to a vegan restaurant, Verdura;  I ordered their carrot lox and cream cheese bagel. Yes, I indulged. But, sometimes, I treat myself to a vegan meal at a restaurant to make the same dish healthier at home.  And, my carrot lox and cream cheese bagel were FABULOUS!

Eating one plant-based indulgent meal, like carrot lox and vegan cream cheese, fulfills my cravings. So, for me, this is a "treat meal," but instead of using processed foods, I created my copycat recipe. 

Although there are plenty of vegan cream cheeses, such as Miyokos Cream Cheese and  Kite Hill Cream Cheese (both fantastic), I made my vegan cream cheese. Feel free to take a shortcut and use your favorite store-bought vegan cream cheese.

As far as bagels go, Dave's Killer Organic Bagels or UDI Gluten-Free Bagels are my two favorites. Of course, you can make your own, but I prefer to buy vegan bagels and keep them in the freezer for when I want to indulge.

The secret to the lox is simple; liquid smoke and the amount of time you marinations and cook it. Although the recipe is simple in execution, it is time-consuming. Therefore, to meet everyone's needs, I gave a speedy option in the notes.

I also added red onions, tomato, capers, and dill to my bagel, which I remember as a kid.

So, if you are a fan of a crunchy bagel slathered with cream cheese, layered with vegetables, and topped with dill and capers, live on!

Carrot Lox and Vegan Cream Cheese Bagel

Kathy Carmichael

Sunday Brunch NEVER tasted so good. Savory and Delicious without the guilt.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Total Time 55 mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 215 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 6 Bagels
• ▢ Red onion sliced thin
• ▢ Large Tomato cut into thin slices
• ▢ ¼ cup capers drained
• ▢ ¼ cup chopped dill

Vegan Cream Cashew Cheese

• ▢ 1 cup raw cashews softened soaked overnight
• ▢ 2 tablespoons water
• ▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ▢ 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 2 teaspoons white miso paste
• ▢ ¼ teaspoons salt or to taste

Carrot Lox: 

• ▢ 2 cups coarse sea salt plus more if needed (YES THIS IS THE CORRECT AMOUNT)
• ▢ 3 large carrots do not peel them
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon liquid smoke I used Hickory Flavor
• ▢ ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Pure Maple Syrup

Instructions

 

Carrot Lox: 

• Preheat oven to 375.
• To slow roast the carrots, place one cup of coarse sea salt into a glass square baking pan that offers just enough room to accommodate the length and width of the carrots so you can keep them whole.
• Rinse the unpeeled carrots and place them wet into the salt, making sure that the carrots sit on top of the salt and do not make contact with the bottom of the glass pan.
• Pour about another whole cup of salt evenly over the tops of the carrots. They need to be completely covered.
• Place into the oven to roast, uncovered, for an hour and a half.
• Once done, use tongs to remove the carrots and place them on a plate or baking sheet to cool.
• Crack away and brush off any salt, then peel away the skin.
• It’s fine if there is still some skin left on the carrot. Then, using a mandolin or sharp knife, finely chop the carrots into jagged, thin strips.
• Place into a clean glass container.
• To marinate the carrots, whisk together the maple syrup, liquid smoke, and apple cider vinegar. (If you have a little more or little less than 1 ½ cups carrot, just add a little more or less of the liquid components as needed.)
• Drizzle over the warm carrots and toss well to coat.
• The carrots need to marinate in the refrigerator for at least two days to allow the flavors to meld.
• On brunch day, remove the carrots from the refrigerator and allow the carrots to come to room temperature.
• Serve with toasted bagels, capers, vegan cream cheese, red onion and fresh sprigs of dill as desired.

Cashew Vegan Cream Cheese:

• Rinse and drain soaked cashews
• In a small bowl food processor, add the cashews and the rest of the ingredients.
• Blend until smooth
• Refrigerate
• You may add different flavors to your cream cheese: dill and onion, garlic and chive, jalapeño and red pepper, fresh strawberries; the varieties are endless.

Serving:

• Toast Bagels
• Slather with vegan cream cheese
• Add red onion and tomato
• Add carrot lox and top with capers and dill

Notes

Quick Version Carrot Lox: Does not require 2 days; 2 hour version

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place carrots on a rimmed baking sheet lined on parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Bake carrots at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes, depending on thickness, until fork-tender. Let cool completely.
• Place the same liquid ingredients in a bowl; stir with a whisk. Set aside.
• Remove skins for carrots. Use a vegetable peeler to slice carrot lengthwise into thin slices.
• Place in bowl with tamari mixture; gently toss to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours
• Drain excess marinade and use carrot lox as you would traditional salmon lox.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 8gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 19345mgPotassium: 191mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2629IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 2mg

Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!

Kathy Carmichael

Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/