Cream cheese is the perfect base for creating different flavor options for bagel spreads. The charred shallot and za’atar is a great pairing with any of the savory bagel toppings. Makes 1 cup.

Ingredients:
1 shallot, cut into quarters
1 cup homemade cream cheese (about 8 oz.)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon za’atar
1/4 teaspoon flake salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chives, minced

Directions:
1. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat until smoking hot. Add the shallot sections and cook until blackened, turning occasionally, roughly 5-8 minutes. Remove the shallots from the heat and let cool.
2. Finely chop the charred shallot and mix with the homemade cream cheese, cayenne pepper, flake salt, pepper, and chives.