Whitefish Salad Bagel Breakfast Recipe

Though many people go to their local deli for this traditional Jewish spread, it can be easily made in the comfort of your own home.  I discovered that for myself one summer when all of the local delis were sold out of whitefish salad.  At the last deli in within 30 miles of my home, I was privileged to have caught the attention of a sympathetic deli chef as I exasperatingly explained that I'd been to every deli in my town and had driven 30 miles to this particular town because it was known for it's whitefish salad.  He seriously felt bad for me and so shared what I considered an eye-opening secret...whitefish salad was simple.  Exactly that, simply made with simple ingredients...It was HOW you prepared it and served it that was the secret. From this kind man came this recipe for the whitefish salad bagel breakfast as they served it at their deli.

Whitefish Salad

1 whole smoked whitefish

1 to 2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
A dash of pepper
(no salt is needed as the smoked whitefish is salty enough)

Remove the skin from the fish filet. Carefully remove all bones.  Place the fish in a medium sized Tupperware bowl.  Add Mayonnaise and mix until the fish becomes almost spreadable.  Add pepper to taste.  Stir and mash mixture in the bowl, carefully keeping an eye out for any missed bones.  As the mixture becomes spreadable you should be able to see any missed bones, as they will stick up out of the mixture as you're turning and stirring it.

Bagels (any kind but recommend combination, onion, or jalapeno for additional flavor)
Cream cheese
1 Tomato, sliced
1 Onion, sliced

Toast the desired amount of bagels, spread each with cream cheese.  Then spread a thick layer of whitefish salad on top of the cream cheese.  Top with tomato and onion.


Refrigerate any leftover whitefish salad and enjoy again for days.

Serve with fresh fruit or a fruit salad