Join the Movement (If You Haven’t Already)!
Are you a member of the cult of Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel (EBTB) seasoning blend? Look on Instagram and Pinterest and you'll quickly realize that people go crazy for it.
Although it’s sold by TJ's, it's very easy to make at home (see recipe below). This blend of the toppings you'd usually find on an everything bagel—sesame seeds, dried minced garlic and onion, poppy seeds, and a hearty dose of sea salt—is salty and umami-rich and, frankly, hard not to like.
Still, if you're not yet a believer, or if you just bought your first bottle, you might be wondering what to do with it. The answer is, of course, do everything with it. Here are a few ideas to get you started, as found on www.epicurious.com a few years ago. We’ve tried these ideas and have definitely joined the EBTB movement!
MAKE COMPOUND BUTTER. Stir EBTB into room-temperature butter to make a flavorful topper for your baked chicken, or baste your Thanksgiving turkey with it. Or use it to top grilled or roasted vegetables. Or slather it on toast or a biscuit.
SPRINKLE IT OVER POPCORN. Garlicky, slightly nutty, onion-y bagel seasoning needs to be added to your arsenal of easy flavoring solutions for popcorn—right alongside nutritional yeast, furikake, and cheese powder.
TOP STORE-BOUGHT HUMMUS. Topping store-bought hummus with extra stuff so it looks fancy and beautiful is the ultimate party hack. You may have tried crispy chickpeas, or za'atar, or curry powder, or fresh herbs. Now try Everything But the Bagel Seasoning!
SPRINKLE IT OVER SALAD. This will work on nearly any salad for an extra pop of savory, salty flavor, but it would be perfect on a smoked salmon salad, since that plays off of the bagel-and-lox flavor combo folks already know and love.
PAIR IT WITH ROASTED VEGGIES. A no-brainer. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over whatever vegetables you're putting on a sheet-tray to roast for lunch or dinner: potatoes, beans, broccoli, carrots, you name it—it all works.
STIR IT INTO WAFFLE BATTER. Why not savory waffles? Stir this seasoning in, top the whole think with a fried egg, and wow, there’s a breakfast worth getting up for.
TOP A BAKED SWEET POTATO. It makes for a nice sweet and salty combo. And per the savory waffle idea, you can even add a fried egg to this as well.
MAKE CRACKERS OR SHORTBREAD WITH IT. Savory crackers are a given, but why not mix the seasoning into a plain shortbread recipe? Then, use that savory shortbread on a cheese plate. These would be prefect and tasty pre-Thanksgiving dinner snacks.
TOP COTTAGE CHEESE. Cottage cheese haters, get outta here. But for you cottage cheese–loving bunch, take some EBTB seasoning and sprinkle it on top of a scoop of your favorite cottage cheese. Great for a simple snack and it’s delicious.
Finally, TOP YOUR PIZZA WITH IT. The salty, nutty mix could take a mediocre pizza to the next level with extra garlicky flavor. It's especially great on an Alfredo-sauced pizza or a breakfast pizza.
And for those of you that have already discover Everything But the Bagel, you know what I mean with these recommendations. And perhaps you’ve discovered your own uses for this marvelous seasoning. If so, do take a minute and share. This is a movement we want to join!
EVERYTHING BUT THE BAGEL SEASONING Mix (yield: about ¾ cup)
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons dried minced garlic
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
3 tablespoons coarse salt
1. Heat poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic, and onion in a small skillet over medium and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
2. Transfer to a heat proof bowl and stir in salt.
3. Let cool completely then transfer to a re-sealable container.
4. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
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Although it’s sold by TJ's, it's very easy to make at home (see recipe below). This blend of the toppings you'd usually find on an everything bagel—sesame seeds, dried minced garlic and onion, poppy seeds, and a hearty dose of sea salt—is salty and umami-rich and, frankly, hard not to like.
Still, if you're not yet a believer, or if you just bought your first bottle, you might be wondering what to do with it. The answer is, of course, do everything with it. Here are a few ideas to get you started, as found on www.epicurious.com a few years ago. We’ve tried these ideas and have definitely joined the EBTB movement!
MAKE COMPOUND BUTTER. Stir EBTB into room-temperature butter to make a flavorful topper for your baked chicken, or baste your Thanksgiving turkey with it. Or use it to top grilled or roasted vegetables. Or slather it on toast or a biscuit.
SPRINKLE IT OVER POPCORN. Garlicky, slightly nutty, onion-y bagel seasoning needs to be added to your arsenal of easy flavoring solutions for popcorn—right alongside nutritional yeast, furikake, and cheese powder.
TOP STORE-BOUGHT HUMMUS. Topping store-bought hummus with extra stuff so it looks fancy and beautiful is the ultimate party hack. You may have tried crispy chickpeas, or za'atar, or curry powder, or fresh herbs. Now try Everything But the Bagel Seasoning!
SPRINKLE IT OVER SALAD. This will work on nearly any salad for an extra pop of savory, salty flavor, but it would be perfect on a smoked salmon salad, since that plays off of the bagel-and-lox flavor combo folks already know and love.
PAIR IT WITH ROASTED VEGGIES. A no-brainer. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over whatever vegetables you're putting on a sheet-tray to roast for lunch or dinner: potatoes, beans, broccoli, carrots, you name it—it all works.
STIR IT INTO WAFFLE BATTER. Why not savory waffles? Stir this seasoning in, top the whole think with a fried egg, and wow, there’s a breakfast worth getting up for.
TOP A BAKED SWEET POTATO. It makes for a nice sweet and salty combo. And per the savory waffle idea, you can even add a fried egg to this as well.
MAKE CRACKERS OR SHORTBREAD WITH IT. Savory crackers are a given, but why not mix the seasoning into a plain shortbread recipe? Then, use that savory shortbread on a cheese plate. These would be prefect and tasty pre-Thanksgiving dinner snacks.
TOP COTTAGE CHEESE. Cottage cheese haters, get outta here. But for you cottage cheese–loving bunch, take some EBTB seasoning and sprinkle it on top of a scoop of your favorite cottage cheese. Great for a simple snack and it’s delicious.
Finally, TOP YOUR PIZZA WITH IT. The salty, nutty mix could take a mediocre pizza to the next level with extra garlicky flavor. It's especially great on an Alfredo-sauced pizza or a breakfast pizza.
And for those of you that have already discover Everything But the Bagel, you know what I mean with these recommendations. And perhaps you’ve discovered your own uses for this marvelous seasoning. If so, do take a minute and share. This is a movement we want to join!
EVERYTHING BUT THE BAGEL SEASONING Mix (yield: about ¾ cup)
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons dried minced garlic
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
3 tablespoons coarse salt
1. Heat poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic, and onion in a small skillet over medium and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
2. Transfer to a heat proof bowl and stir in salt.
3. Let cool completely then transfer to a re-sealable container.
4. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Sources:
- www.theedgyveg.com
- www.littlehousebigalaska.com
- www.makethebestofeverything.com
- www.heb.com
- www.loveandlemons.com
Alice Osborne
Weekly Newsletter Contributor since 2006
Email the author! alice@dvo.com
