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.

            