CREAM CHEESE IS MORE THAN A SCHMEAR—IT’S A CULINARY STAPLE
Written and Photographed by Brandon Blumenfeld
In the late 19th century, dairyman William Lawrence created cream cheese, a uniquely American spread inspired by France’s soft Neufchâtel cheese. Unlike its European counterpart, cream cheese is made with milk and cream, resulting in a smooth, velvety texture and rich, creamy flavor with a subtle tang. It rose to fame in New York, where it became synonymous with bagels and lox and quickly cemented its place in the cultural fabric of the city. Today, cream cheese is celebrated and used around the world, from decadent cheesecakes to trendsetting sweet-and-savory recipes. Elevate the spreadable staple with these five recipes.
Crispy Smashed Fingerling Potatoes with Creamy Onion Dip
This caramelized onion and cream cheese dip is rich and velvety with a touch of sweetness. Paired with crispy smashed fingerling potatoes, this dish is both comforting and sophisticated. Make ahead and store in the refrigerator for a simple and elegant snack or appetizer.
Grilled Sourdough Bread with Green Goddess Cream Cheese
This simple open-faced sandwich is a great option for a quick, flavorful meal. The recipe makes more green goddess cream cheese than you’ll need for two servings, but you can enjoy it all week long as a staple condiment in your refrigerator. It’s great on a morning bagel or with a crudités platter. Marinate the cucumbers ahead of time for quicker assembly.
Roasted Beets with Whipped Lemon Garlic Cream Cheese and Salsa Verde
Fresh salsa verde adds an acidic punch to this rich, velvety side dish, which can be served cold, room temperature, or slightly warm. For quick assembly, you can roast the beets and prepare the cream cheese spread up to two days in advance. To ensure beets are soft in the center, use a cake tester.
Creamy and Spicy Tomato Sauce and Rigatoni
This creamy sauce comes together quickly, with no need for pre-cooking or special prep. Calabrian chili paste adds a mild heat—if you can’t find it, sambal oelek, sriracha, or harissa are good alternatives. The fried breadcrumbs cook quickly and make for a perfect crunchy topping.
Cheesy Buckwheat Blintzes with Dates and Pistachios
These blintzes feature a smooth, creamy filling made from rich cream cheese. The key to a perfect blintz is in the folding and gentle browning in the pan, so be sure to watch the heat carefully. For a smoother crepe texture, you can make the batter ahead of time and refrigerate it.
Brandon Blumenfeld
Brandon Blumenfeld has over 18 years of experience working across the country in the hospitality industry, and has worked for stand-out restaurant groups such as Momofuku, Hu Kitchen, Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. He specializes in recipe development, menu design, cost analysis, ordering processes, and kitchen functionality.
