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Healthy Bagel Sandwich

Source of Recipe

From "Mad Hungry: Cravings" by Lucinda Quinn


Recipe Introduction

"I love a good savory bagel sandwich, but sometimes a thick, crusty bagel loaded with cream cheese or dripping with melted cheese, bacon, and egg can be a little much in the morning. So try this healthier take for something lighter but equally satisfying. The yogurt cheese may seem a little intimidating, what with the use of cheesecloth and all, but it's super-easy to prep. It tastes like slightly tangier cream cheese. Note that the yogurt has to drain for at least 24 hours."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 3 cups plain yogurt
â—¦ ½ teaspoon coarse salt
â—¦ â…› teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
â—¦ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
â—¦ 4 bagels, split
â—¦ 1 medium tomato, sliced
â—¦ ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
â—¦ 2 cups baby arugula


Recipe

Line a sieve with three layers of cheesecloth and set it over a deep bowl. Spoon the yogurt into the center of the cheesecloth, gather up the corners, twisting them to tighten the cloth around the yogurt, and tie with kitchen twine. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours, and up to three days.

Scrape the yogurt cheese into a medium bowl.
Stir in the salt, pepper, and basil.

To assemble each sandwich, spread one-quarter of the cheese onto both cut sides of the bagel. Top one side with some tomato, red onion, and arugula. Close the sandwiches and serve right away. Alternatively, wrap in parchment paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 hour until ready to eat.

Makes 4 sandwiches



• Good to Know:
The hardest thing about making yogurt cheese is allowing for the 24 hours needed to drain it. It's ridiculously versatile. Stir in any flavoring you like: Try a little olive oil with some combination of minced garlic, finely chopped scallions or chives, and/or other fresh herbs like parsley, dill, thyme, or oregano. Grated citrus zest or a little juice — lemon, orange, or grapefruit — is also good. Use it as a sandwich spread. Dip fresh vegetables in it. It even goes with French fries, potato chips, or toasted Indian pappadums.