- ½ cup water
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard seed
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 2 cucumbers, peeled into ribbons
- 4 fresh dill fronds
- ¼ cup crème fraîche
- ½ cup cream cheese
- juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon caper brine
- 2 bagels, halved
- 1 pound sliced salmon lox
- ½ red onion, sliced
- Start by making the pickles. Bring the water, vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seed, and peppercorns to a simmer over medium heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar and salt dissolve.
- Put the cucumbers and dill into a bowl or jar and pour the vinegar mixture over them.
- Press the cucumbers down until they're submerged in the vinegar and let them sit until it's time to top the bagels.
- Beat the crème fraîche, cream cheese, lemon juice, and caper brine until the mixture is smooth, light, and fluffy.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the bagel halves.
- Layer the salmon lox and sliced onion on top of each bagel.
- Top the bagels with the pickled cucumbers.
- Garnish the bagels with additional capers or dill, if desired.