Lunch Al Desko: Bagel Sandwich Thins
I live in Golders Green, the London spiritual home of the bagel, so when I received an email asking me to try out new Bagel Sandwich Thins from the New York Bakery Co I politely let the PR know that I didn't tend to think that supermarket bagels were up to much, and that they probably would not cut it with my bagel worshipping Jewish husband. She held firm and sent me some anyway, convinced we would like them.
Bagels are usually a no-go for me as they are so carb heavy and pack a serious calorie punch, so I steer well clear unless its a special occasion. Even Rich has had to concede that a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel for lunch and dinner (this did used to happen) is not conducive to a 33" waistline, and we only visit our favourite bagel bakeries (Daniels in Temple Fortune and Carmelli's on Golders Green Road since you ask) very rarely now. So, hearing that these only come in at 130 calories was pretty exciting. It means that if you choose healthy fillings and pack in plenty of greenery they actually constitute a very light lunch option, but with all of the satisfaction of a full bagel.
Lightly toasted you would struggle to believe they come from a supermarket as they retain that necessary chewiness but without the usual breadlike taste that so many rubbish shop bought bagels have. We were sold.
Here's five days of inspiration for you to fill yours and take to work:
Prawn & Bloody Marie Rose Sauce
Cooked prawns, crunchy lettuce and marie rose sauce spiked with vodka, tabasco and worcestershire sauce.
Eggs Florentine
Warm wilted spinach and a poached egg in a light creamy sauce of cream cheese and yoghurt seasoned with lemon.
Tahini Chicken & Fattoush
Cold roasted chicken in tahini combined with a fragrant parsley based salad. See here for more info on fattoush.
Beetroot Hummus, Roasted Aubergine & Cauliflower
Beetroot hummus is just standard hummus of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic whizzed up with a bulb of cooked (non-vinegar) beetroot. Then add pan roasted aubergine and cauliflower dusted with polenta for extra crunch.
Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese & Chive
Mr G's desert island dish of good quality smoked salmon (I like the oily one at Panzer's in St John's Wood) atop creamy cheese and fresh chives. Something like Philadelphia really will not do. If you can't get to a deli, the Paysan Breton creamy cheese in Waitrose is good, or we like their Curd Cheese too. A squeeze of lemon and a dusting of cayenne is all you need.
As I've mentioned, the PR for New York Bakery Co sent me these on a complimentary basis, but I only write good things if I genuinely like something. I liked these a lot. Thanks!